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City seeks input on smoking, fireworks News, Page 2
Olive tree care, safely managing pests Features, Page 1
Volume 142, Number 25 — Locally-owned since 1884
The hometown paper of Rob Keele
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Fire district Prop 218 vote fails, leaves funding gap By Sonora Slater Express staff writer A proposed update to fees paid by residents of the Winters Fire Protection District based on their property type and the fire hazard factors of their land failed to pass a vote on Thursday, July 17, with 76 of 112 ballots voting no. The ballots were weighted based on each property’s assessed value, with 91.94 percent of the weighted votes returned being marked as not in support of the assessment. The fire district area, which is largely agricultural and commercial land, includes the zone west of Winters to the Monticello Dam at Lake Berryessa, and other unincorporated areas to the north and east of the city
limits. Due to the nature of the area, Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III has previously said that nearly 20 percent of the Winters Fire Department’s calls originate within the fire district area and include a range of incidents from vegetation and agricultural fires to water rescues and distressed hiker rescues. These calls are also often both further away from the city center and larger in scope than incidents within the city limits, so they tend to come with higher costs or draw more resources. The gap between resources used to serve the fire district and funding collected from its residents was part of the purpose of the assessment. But
See VOTE, Page 4
Courtesy photo
Security camera footage captured the suspect placing the skimming device on the Yolo Federal Credit Union Winters branch drive-thru ATM.
Skimming device found at Winters drive-up ATM Police seek public’s help Express staff
Courtesy photo
Volunteers help to cook burgers at the 2024 National Night Out at El Rio Villa.
Community, first responders unite for National Night Out at El Rio Villa Express staff
EXPRESS
El Rio Villa residents and community organizations are invited to join the second annual National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 62 Shams Way. The event aims to strengthen connections between neighbors, public safety personnel, and local service providers.
National Night Out is a nationwide initiative that encourages community engagement and promotes strong partnerships between residents and law enforcement. This year’s event features a backpack giveaway hosted in collaboration with the Winters Joint Unified School District. School-age children will receive free backpacks while supplies last. Local law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency responders will be on site to meet with families, answer questions,
and share safety resources. “The benefits for the residents are to engage with different service providers and community partners who may offer helpful resources,” said Ian Evans, executive director of Yolo County Housing and New Hope Community Development Corporation. “It’s also a great opportunity to get free dinner and spend time with neighbors.” Organizers emphasize the value of building trust and collaboration
See NNO, Page 5
Index Features ........................ B-1
We at he r Date
Rain
High
Low
July 16
.00
97˚
59˚
July 17
.00
93˚
56˚
July 18
.00
95˚
57˚
July 19
.00
96˚
55˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-5
July 20
.00
98˚
55˚
July 21
.00
94˚
51˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
July 22
.00
89˚
58˚
Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 0.00 in. Season’s total: 0.00 in. Last sn. to date: 0.00 in.
Classifieds ................... B-4 Community .................. A-2
Sports ........................... B-6
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/25. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
The Winters Police Department is investigating the placement of a skimming device that was discovered on the drive-thru ATM at the Yolo Federal Credit Union Winters branch located at 168 E. Grant Ave. The device was found around 11:45 a.m. on July 15 and is believed to have been installed on July 12 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Officers were notified of the discovery at 2:27 p.m. the same day. It was initially reported that the ATM at the building’s main entrance was affected; however, security footage has confirmed the device was placed on the drive-thru ATM. The suspect is described as a white adult male wearing a
Credit
The suspect is described as a white adult male wearing a checkered shirt, blue shorts, and a beige Nike bucket hat. checkered shirt, blue shorts, and a beige Nike bucket hat. People who used the ATM between July 12 and July 15 are urged to monitor their bank accounts for suspi-
cious activity. Unauthorized transactions should be reported to the Winters Police Department at 530795-4561 and Yolo Federal Credit Union at 877-965-6328.
Council reappoints commissioners, rehashes food vendor discussion By Sonora Slater Express staff writer As the search for a new commissioner to join the Winters Planning Commission continues, the Winters City Council also wast asked at its July 15 meeting with deciding whether to reappoint chair Lisa A. Baker and vice chair Judith Arce, given that both reached the end of their terms on July 1. Both commissioners expressed willingness to continue in their roles, and precedent does allow the two-person ad hoc committee (which includes council members Richard Casavecchia and Jesse Loren) to privately authorize the reappointment of commissioners. However, Casavecchia requested that the decision be added as
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Lisa A. Baker, chair
Judith Arce, vice chair
a discussion item at the July 15 city council meeting, citing an interest in transparency and in ensuring a competitive process. His suggestion was to cut the straight reappointment, open three seats on the commission up for application, and have Baker and Arce reapply along with the other applicants. However, Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Biasi,
as well as other council members, pointed out that their current single-seat job posting had been posted for three weeks so far without a single applicant. Since the pandemic, the commission has struggled to find applicants, with the decision-making body spending nearly a year at the reduced size of five
See CITY, Page 5
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