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Volume 143, Number 02 — Locally-owned since 1884
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, February 11, 2026
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Council approves Olive Grove map, hears Water Master Plan
Putah Creek salmon gains focus in Bay-Delta water debate By Todd R. Hansen McNaughton Media
EXPRESS
The salmon recovery effort on Putah Creek was highlighted as an early example of a Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program success story during recent California State Water Resources Control Board hearings. The control board is in the process of updating the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, with Solano County agencies joining the State Water Contractors and others in support of the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes option. “The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program combines two priorities that Californians care deeply about: environmental health and a reliable, affordable water supply,” Jennifer Pierre, general manager of the State Water Contractors, said in a statement. “HRL benefits are already being seen from 58 early implementation projects that have been completed along the American, Feather, Mokelumne, Sacramento and Yuba rivers. These projects
prove that when water managers, state and federal agencies, and communities work together collaboratively, the needs of fish and people can be effectively balanced. The State Water Contractors stand with the Newsom administration and a broad coalition of leaders from across the state to urge the Water Board to move the HRL program forward,” Pierre added. Solano County water agency officials view Healthy Rivers and Landscapes as the lesser of threats to Lake Berryessa water supplies and, in turn, water distribution from the Solano Project to agricultural, urban, commercial and industrial users in the county. The program is favored over the Unimpaired Flows alternative first proposed by the state. That option, Solano officials argue, would devastate agriculture and the local economy. The Solano Project provides water to 400,000 people in Fairfield, Suisun City, Vacaville, Benicia and Vallejo. Dixon and Rio Vista do not receive project water. Additionally, the Solano Irrigation District provides water to 55,000 acres of diverse, irrigated agricultural lands.
Literally, some officials warn, it would displace hundreds, if not thousands, of Solano County residents. Advocates say the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program presents a balanced approach to water use in the Bay-Delta watershed, including measurable progress toward the recovery of Chinook salmon and other native species. “This statewide collaborative effort pairs strategically timed river flows with habitat restoration, supported by ongoing monitoring and science-based adaptive management. Together, these actions are advancing solutions that benefit ecosystems, local economies and California’s longterm water security,” the Water Contractors statement said. Among those who spoke in favor of Healthy Rivers and Landscapes on the first day of the hearings were representatives of the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee and the Solano County Water Agency. Testimony included commentary on 35 early implementation projects that have been completed, seven that are in
See SALMON, Page 4
Index Features ........................ B-1
We at he r Date
Rain
High
Low
Feb. 04
.00
70˚
36˚
Feb. 05
.00
70˚
38˚
Feb. 06
.00
72˚
41˚
Feb. 07
.00
75˚
42˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-2
Feb. 08
.00
71˚
41˚
Feb. 09
.00
76˚
49˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
Feb. 10
.00
68˚
42˚
Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 0.00 in. Season’s total: 13.63 in. Last sn. to date: 14.98 in.
Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Sports ........................... B-5
HOURS: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm • Sun 11am-5pm
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/25. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
By Sonora Slater Express staff writer The Feb. 3 meeting of the Winters City Council featured presentations on longterm planning for the city’s water supply and fire department, as well as the approval of a subdivision map for the Olive Grove affordable housing development.
Water Master Plan The Water Master Plan presentation included an overview of the city’s current water usage, projections for future usage with recent and planned developments, and ideas to enhance local groundwater production. Estimates showed that expected future pumping would not exceed safe yield, and the plan includes monitoring regular water usage during
extended drought periods. Council member Jesse Loren asked about resilience under the new hexavalent chromium-6 requirements, which the Express has detailed in previous articles and the city council has discussed extensively. The new requirements put several of Winters’ wells out of commission for drinking water, significantly reducing the city’s maximum water capacity. Contract city engineer Alan Mitchell said the current water master plan does not account for the impact of these regulations on Winters’ wells and is actively evolving in response to the new information. Presenters noted that agricultural pumping far exceeds urban pumping in
Winters. The same regulations do not apply to water used for agriculture as they do for drinking water, meaning it may be possible to use water with unapproved hexavalent chromium-6 levels for agricultural purposes, though the logistics of that option have not been fully explored. Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Biasi said the council will receive a future presentation on surface water and recycled water options.
Olive Grove subdivision
The council approved a subdivision map for the Olive Grove affordable housing project, which will cover 3.506 acres and include 16
See CITY, Page 4
Candidate filing period opens for June primary Express staff The Yolo County Elections Office announced Feb. 9 that the candidate nomination filing period for the June 2 Statewide Direct Primary Election is now open. Individuals seeking to run for eligible federal, state, legislative, county, and local offices must file nomination documents during the official period. Candidates have until 5 p.m. March 6 to collect nomination signatures and submit their Declaration of Candidacy and candidate statement of qualifications, if applicable, to the Yolo County Elections Office at 625 Court St., Suite B05, Woodland. Candidates who gather the required number of signatures instead of filing fees may not need to circulate nomination
papers. Filing fees, if required, are due when nomination documents are obtained and are non-refundable. Candidate statements of qualification and any applicable fees are due when nomination documents are filed. The Elections Office encourages candidates to contact staff early to review filing requirements and schedule appointments. Online scheduling is available at https://elections.yolocounty.gov/scheduling. If an incumbent does not file by the March 6 deadline, the filing period for that office extends from March 7 through 5 p.m. on March 11. Only candidates other than the incumbent may file during this extension.
Winters seats This extended filing
period does not apply to Winters City Council or Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees seats. City Council elections in Winters were moved to the November general election in 2021. Filing for those elections begins 113 days before the election date, and full deadlines will be published in June. Three council seats are up for election this year: Al Vallecillo, Carol Scianna, and Richard Casavecchia. Winters JUSD trustee elections follow the same timeline. Three trustee seats are up this year: Area 2, Carrie Green; Area 3, Joedy Michael; and Area 4, Sterling Davis. The trustee area map is available on the Winters JUSD website under District Information > About the Board.
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