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Entryway refresh, berry planting guide Special, Page 6 & 7
Patio gardening made simple Features, Page 1
Volume 143, Number 16 — Locally-owned since 1884
The hometown paper of Veronica Carrasco
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Duck Derby races the creek May 30 Express staff
Courtesy photo
At the SELPA Community Advisory Committee Awards, members of the Winters High School Adult Living Skills program are recognized. From left are Principal Justin Young; Adriane Laughter, director of special education and student services; paraeducator Sarah Martin; students Jeremiah White; Luis Astorga; Andrew Dutton; Kaden Karlin; Sammi Rodriguez, seated; educators Andrea Hurst, Kim Spalding and Jenny Ramos.
ALS students, Rotenkolber honored at SELPA CAC Awards
The 12th Annual Duck Derby will return to Putah Creek on Saturday, May 30, bringing hundreds of rubber ducks back to the water for the annual race that serves as the primary fundraiser for Winters Youth Day. The event draws families and community members each year to watch as numbered rubber ducks are released into the creek and carried downstream. The first three ducks to reach the finish line will receive cash prizes. The last duck to finish, now called “Mike’s
Lucky Duck,” is named in honor and memory of Mike Sebastian and will earn a flock of 12 entries in next year’s race. Last year, one of Jeremy Phillips’s racers finished as the last duck across the line and was named Mike’s Lucky Duck. Phillips returns this year with a full flock ready to try again.
Race day details Duck adoptions will be available the day of the event from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at the Rotary Gazebo. Ducks may also be sponsored in
See DUCKS, Page 5
By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief A group of students in the district’s inaugural Adult Living Skills program and a longtime Winters educator were among those honored May 11 at the annual Yolo County SELPA Community Advisory Committee Awards, which recognize individuals and programs supporting children and adults with special needs. The Winters Joint Unified School District recipients included fourth-grade teacher Robin Rotenkolber of Shirley Rominger Intermediate School and the Adult Living Skills (ALS) Program students at Winters High School. CAC
Awards
EXPRESS
The
Courtesy photo
This lost dog was brought to the Winters Police Department in April. Winters PD will attempt to reunite lost pets with their owners before transferring them to the Yolo County Animal Shelter.
Courtesy photo
Winters Joint Unified School District officials gather with award recipient Robin Rotenkolber at the SELPA Community Advisory Committee Awards. Pictured are Adriane Laughter, director of special education and student services; Monica Moreno, principal; Rotenkolber and Superintendent Rody Boonchouy. recognize school employees, parents, volunteers, students and community partners who provide outstanding service to individuals with special needs throughout Yolo County.
clusive education and her collaborative approach with families, service providers and support staff.
Rotenkolber, who has taught in Winters for more than 29 years, was recognized for her commitment to in-
“Robin creates a classroom where all students feel valued, supported, and capable of success,” said Adriane Laughter. “Her students know that she believes in them wholehearted-
Index
We at he r
Features ........................ B-1
Council reviews animal services community survey results By Sonora Slater Express staff writer
ly.” Laughter noted Rotenkolber’s work extends beyond the classroom, highlighting her efforts to coordinate with special education staff, counselors, paraeducators and families to ensure students receive appropriate academic
See AWARDS, Page 2
As the next step in a multi-year process to reshape local animal services, the council reviewed survey results and community feedback on priorities at its May 5 meeting, incorporating resident input into its discussion. Winters currently contracts with Yolo County for shelter
Rain
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May 13
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94˚
59˚
Express staff
May 14
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86˚
55˚
May 15
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91˚
55˚
May 16
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90˚
60˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-5
May 17
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May 18
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79˚
55˚
Opinion ......................... B-4
May 19
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84˚
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Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 0.00 in. Season’s total: 19.86 in. Last sn. to date: 19.27 in.
Families of young children in western Yolo County are invited to help shape the future of local childcare through upcoming Parent Cafes hosted by the Yolo County Office of Education and First 5 Yolo. The community conversations give parents and caregivers an opportunity to share their experiences, including the challenges many rural families face in finding affordable, local childcare and the need to travel out of town to access services. Input gathered will
Community .................. A-3
Sports ........................... B-6
Winters rainfall season began 7/1/25. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
help inform local decision-makers working to improve childcare access across the region. The first session was held via Zoom on May 20, with two additional opportunities scheduled for families living west of Interstate 505. Upcoming Parent Cafe dates include: • May 21, 6 p.m., Winters Community Library, 708 Railroad Ave. • May 22, 6 p.m., Esparto Regional Library, 17065 Yolo Ave. The events are hosted by the Yolo County Office of Education and First 5 Yolo.
YOUR AD HERE!
Service all makes & models Accept all major credit cards Family owned & operated
2 Main Street Winters, CA 530.795.4503
1 Main Street Winters, CA 530.795.2682
See SURVEY, Page 5
Share childcare experiences at Parent Cafes
Date
Classifieds ................... B-4
and field services, with all facilities located in Woodland. However, the council is exploring alternatives after the public raised concerns about the current system’s quality, cost-effectiveness and accessibility. At its April 7 meeting, the Yolo County Animal Services Joint Powers
27990 County Road 90 Winters, CA 95694 www.pearcehvac.com State Contractor Lic# 864483
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Contact David DeLeon at david@wintersexpress.com 105 E Dorset Drive, Dixon 9253 Johnson Road, Winters, CA 530.212.5161 • monticelloveterinary.com