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Fire recovery at Lake Solano News, Page 2
A lifetime of love and laughter Features, Page 1
Volume 143, Number 24 — Locally-owned since 1884
The hometown paper of Patty Porter
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Winters PD rolls out Zero electric motorcycles By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief Winters Police Department officers now have a new tool to help navigate crowded streets, respond more quickly to incidents and improve traffic enforcement: two electric motorcycles. The department recently began implementing its Zero electric motorcycles after Officers Nick Morgan and Darion Cueto completed specialized training and certification required
to operate them. The motorcycles made their first public appearance during the city’s July 3 fireworks celebration, when thousands of vehicles and pedestrians filled local streets. “The biggest benefit is we can get around anywhere,” Officer Nick Morgan said. “We’re not tied to congestion or traffic.” Unlike patrol vehicles, the electric motorcycles are smaller and more agile, allowing officers to maneuver through congested
areas, make tighter turns and reach locations that can be difficult for larger vehicles to access. During the July 3 event, Morgan said the motorcycles allowed officers to more easily respond to traffic concerns, including drivers failing to yield to pedestrians. “It was extremely easy to get around the cars and get up to those violations and advise people, ‘Hey, pay attention. It’s
See ZERO, Page 3
Express staff writer
EXPRESS
The Winters City Council unanimously approved a temporary allowance for community-serving nonprofit organizations to use A-frame directional signs in the Downtown Business District while the city works toward a broader update to its sign regulations. The action was approved as part of the council’s July 21 consent agenda and will remain in effect for approximately three months, or until a permanent amendment to the Winters Municipal Code is adopted. The temporary allowance follows discussions that began during the council’s July 7 meeting regarding A-frame signage restrictions and concerns raised by the Winters History Museum after the organization reported that its visitorship
had dropped by half following enforcement of existing sign regulations. During that meeting, council members discussed creating an exception for the museum while also looking at how the city could address signage needs for other community-serving organizations. According to the staff report, the city began reviewing temporary signage after staff observed an increase in unpermitted signs at a prominent location in town. The review identified both temporary signs installed by private businesses without required permits and signage used by local nonprofit organizations to promote community events, services, and locations. Staff noted that the current municipal code does not clearly differentiate between commercial signage and community-serving nonprofit signage, and recommended a temporary allowance while a more comprehensive ordinance amendment is prepared.
Under the approved temporary language, any 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with a physical location in the Downtown Business District may use up to four off-premise directional A-frame signs within the district. The signs may be no larger than 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall, may only be displayed during the hours the facility is open to the public, and must be placed in a manner that does not impede pedestrian traffic. The temporary allowance does not apply to commercial businesses, which will continue to be required to follow existing sign permit requirements. The future municipal code amendment will evaluate sign types, locations, duration, and permit requirements with the goal of creating consistent standards that balance downtown aesthetics, pedestrian safety, and the needs of community organizations. Additional reporting by Crystal Apilado, Express Editor-in-Chief
Index Features ........................ B-1
We at he r Date
Rain
High
July 15
.00
105˚
83˚
July 16
.00
108˚
62˚
July 17
.00
100˚
55˚
July 18
.00
97˚
57˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-3
July 19
.00
95˚
58˚
July 20
.00
98˚
69˚
Opinion ......................... B-4
July 22 TRACE
92˚
71˚
Real Estate ................... A-8
Rain for week: TRACE Season’s total: TRACE Last sn. to date: 0.00 in.
Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Sports ........................... B-6
Courtesy photo
Yolo County names new public health officer
Council approves temporary A-frame sign allowance for downtown nonprofits By Sonora Slater
Winters Police Officer Nick Morgan prepares to patrol on one of the department’s new Zero electric motorcycles, which provide officers with a more agile way to respond to traffic concerns and community events.
Low
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/26. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
Dr. Joanna Locke to begin role Aug. 24 Express staff The Yolo County Board of Supervisors has appointed Dr. Joanna Locke as the county’s new public health officer, effective Monday, Aug. 24. Locke succeeds Dr. Aimee Sisson and will oversee the county’s public health efforts, working with county staff, health care providers and community partners on issues ranging from communicable disease prevention to community health initiatives. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Locke to Yolo County,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Sheila Allen. “She brings deep experience in communicable disease response, mental health and community health, along with a strong record of bringing people and organizations together. That combination will serve our residents well.” Locke joins Yolo County after serving with the Alameda County Public Health Department as an acute communicable disease physician, where she provided clinical guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. She previously spent nearly five years as director of health and wellness for Oakland Unified School District, overseeing school nursing, school-based health centers, wellness programs and other health services
Courtesy photo
Dr. Joanna Locke has been appointed Yolo County’s new public health officer, effective Aug. 24. for students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. Her public health career also includes leadership roles with a nonprofit focused on college student suicide prevention and mental health promotion. As an executive director, Locke helped develop national programs supporting students, families and colleges and served as a subject matter expert on college mental health. “Dr. Locke brings the clinical knowledge and broad public health experience needed for this important role,” said Yolo County Administrative Officer Michael Webb. “Her work across county government, schools, health care and nonprofit organizations gives her a strong understanding of how public systems and community partners can work together to serve residents.”
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Locke earned her medical degree and master’s degree in public health from Tulane University. She completed a residency in general preventive medicine and public health at SUNY Stony Brook after a psychiatry internship at George Washington University. “I’m thrilled to be joining Yolo County as the new health officer,” Locke said. “I look forward to working with government, health care and community partners to support the health of all residents.” The Yolo County public health officer provides medical leadership for county health programs, including disease prevention, emergency preparedness and community health initiatives. For more information about Yolo County public health services, visit YoloCounty.gov/HHSA.
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