Winters Express: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

& Tree Lighting Festival

Winters honors local veterans

The Winters City Council recognized Nov. 11 as Veterans Day with a proclamation unanimously approved at its Nov. 18 meeting.

Twelve veterans stood in the council chamber as the proclamation was read.

“Veterans Day serves as an observance that commemorates our nation’s thanks to all branches of the armed forces who have served at home and around the world,” Mayor Albert Vallecillo said. “We call upon the citizens

of Winters to express their gratitude to all veterans and their families, and to honor the sacrifices of our veterans throughout the year.”

U.S. Navy Korean War veteran and former Winters City Manager Gail Wingard noted that 250 American flags were planted at the graves of veterans in Winters Cemetery in honor of the holiday. She encouraged residents to visit the cemetery to see the flags and pay their respects.

The proclamation can be viewed as part of the Nov. 18 Winters City Council meeting packet on the city website under the City Council Available Archives page at www. cityofwinters.org/194/ Meetings.

Council OKs exploring Senior Center options

By Sonora Slater Express staff writer

The Nov. 18 Winters City Council meeting featured a discussion about a possible alternative to the original senior center plan, as well as a variety of other conversations surrounding natural resources, Native American Heritage Month and more.

The proposed resolution related to the senior center, which passed unanimously, authorized a professional services agreement with an architecture group to provide several conceptual design drawings of an expansion to the existing Winters Community Center, to add space for a modified senior center to meet and host programming.

Originally, the council and the public hoped to build an entirely new senior center on Baker St., but after 10 years of setbacks, the most recent of which being an unsuccessful grant application, the council has decided to look into alternative options. This doesn’t mean that the original senior center project is entirely out of the question, but it does mean that it’s

no longer the only idea on the table.

Tina Lowden, a member of the Winters Senior Foundation, said she is disappointed about the change of plans, but that she sees the need for some version of this project to move forward.

“We’ve had seniors move away from Winters because we don’t have the amenities they want or need,” Lowden said. “Let’s get on board and get this done.” Residents Kate Laddish and Karen May similarly expressed support for looking into the idea, but Corinne Martinez had doubts.

Martinez noted that the planned downtown visioning meeting has not yet taken place, and suggested the council wait until after a visioning plan has been put in place to make plans related to future plans for the area.

“I get nervous when we do things that are in downtown ahead of the visioning,” Martinez said. “We don’t have the vision yet, and yet we’re going to take a step to do something that doesn’t contemplate what the long-term vision

See CITY, Page 6

Yolo Supevisors consider properties for future housing developments

By Rebecca Wasik McNaughton Media

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors heard an update Tuesday on three county-owned properties in Woodland that could be sites for future housing developments. County staff have been conducting an inventory of coun-

ty-owned parcels which are either vacant, underutilized or have potential to be in the near future. Of the county-owned properties reviewed, three properties stood out as having potential for future housing or mixed-use development.

These three sites include:

• North Ashley Avenue/West Woodland: This site is north of West Beamer Campus and roughly 2.33 acres in size. The site is currently developed with county-owned buildings that are used by various departments. The surrounding land use to the north and west of this site is sin-

See CITY, Page 6

AYSO Red Hawks head to Foster City

Local News Briefs

Express staff

Winters FFA Hosts Annual Tree Sale

The Winters FFA will hold its annual Christmas Tree Sale on Nov. 28–29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Winters High School Agriculture Site, 401 Niemann St.

Tree prices vary by type and size. All proceeds from the sale benefit the Winters FFA, helping fund program activities such as banquets, monthly meetings, and student participation in leadership conferences and retreats.

City seeks tractor parade coordinator bids

The city of Winters is requesting proposals from qualified event planning firms or individuals to coordinate, manage, and produce the annual Winters Holiday Tractor Parade & Festival, beginning with the 2026 event and con-

tinuing through 2028, with the option to extend for up to two (2) additional one-year terms at the city’s sole discretion. The successful proposer will be responsible for all aspects of planning, logistics, coordination, sponsorships, vendor management, and marketing related to the event, as outlined in the Scope of Services. During the course of this agreement, the city may explore expanding to a multiple weekend holiday market and will seek input from the successful proposer on such an expansion. Details are available on the city website or visit www.cityofwinters.org/Bids.aspx? BidID=3.

Community awards

The Winters District Chamber of Commerce encourages the community to nominate a person or business that has gone above and beyond for the community. The award cate-

gories are Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and the Theodore Winters Award. Details about the award qualifications are available online at https://bit.ly/ toastnomination2025. Nominations can also be emailed to winterschamber95694@ gmail.com. Nominations sent by email must include details about why the person or business is being nominated for the nomination to be considered. Nominations will be accepted until Dec. 1.

Toy collection dates

Youth of One is collecting toy donations for infants to children aged 12 at the Kountry Kitchen parking lot starting on Nov. 30, from 12 to 3 p.m.

The other toy collection dates are:

• Dec. 6, 2 to 4 p.m. • Dec. 7, 2 to 4 p.m.

• Dec. 10, 5 to 7 p.m.

• Dec. 13, 12 to 3 p.m.

• Dec. 17, 5 to 7 p.m. Email questions to youthofonewinters@ gmail.com.

CHP Thanksgiving enforcement starts

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025 12:00pm - 2:30pm

Lunch, Live Music, Raffle, Toy Drive, & FUN

Reservations: Tina Lowden 530-794-6067

Reservation Deadline: Friday, November 28th

Limited Seating

$25.00/person

Entree, Drink & Dessert

Includes tax and gratuity

Mail check to: WSF PO Box 392 Winters, CA 95694

Please bring a new unwrapped toy “Winters Toy Drive”

The last day to order is Friday, December 5.

The Winters Museum has a SWEET deal for you!

Help the Winters Museum tell our town‛s story and preserve its history.

• Looking for the perfect gift for your family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers? With a few keystrokes, you can order See‛s candy, have it shipped directly to the lucky recipient, AND support the Winters Museum.

• Or consider a gift card that the recipient can use at a nearby See‛s Store.

• Free shipping on orders of $70 or more. Use the QR code or the link below to order your Christmas See‛s Candy gifts through our Holiday Yumraising storefront.

bit ly/hsw-holiday-candy-2025

Express staff

The CHP will begin its Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday with a focus on impaired drivers and seat belt compliance.

“Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends, not to mourn a preventable tragedy. Seat

belts remain one of the most effective tools for saving lives on our roadways. Taking just two seconds to buckle up could be the decision that saves your life or the life of someone you love,” California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a statement.

The enforcement period runs through

12/6/25

11:59 p.m. Sunday. Last year, 36 people died in crashes across California. Within CHP jurisdiction, 14 vehicle occupants were killed and six of them were not wearing a seat belt. CHP officers also made more than 1,100 arrests for driving under the influence.

By Todd R. Hansen McNaughton Media

The Solano County supervisors this week approved changes to the contracts of the unrepresented confidential and management employees.

There are five units of unrepresented employees, which includes the Board of Supervisors. The supervisors did not get a pay raise with this action.

The confidential employees, senior management employees, executive management employees and extra help employees also are part of the group.

“The positions and salaries indicated on the ... resolution for equity adjustments are the result of a total compensation study that was performed.

The percentage increases in the resolution for Units 30, 62, and 61 are consistent with the same terms offered to, but not yet fully accepted by, the

Regional News

represented bargaining units,” the staff report to the board states.

The changes are projected to increase payroll costs by $5.37 million through Oct. 28, 2028, of which $803,779 is during 2025-26 fiscal year; $1.67 million during 2026-27; $2.14 million is during 2027-28; and $754,409 during 202829.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted the Compliance Audit of the Probation Department’s Juvenile Trust Fund and Ward Welfare Fund; and approved moving from an annual to a biennial audit beginning with the 2026-27 fiscal year.

• Accepted the Solano County Treasurer’s Quarterly Report for the period of July 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2025.

• Approved a $86,747 contract amendment with Solano County Resource Family Association, for a total

contract of $336,747, to provide enhanced supports and services to Solano County foster youth and their caregivers through June 30, 2026; and approved a $86,747 appropriation transfer to recognize the unanticipated revenue.

• Approved a $236,173 contract amendment with Seneca Family of Agencies, for a total contract of $5.83 million, to provide wraparound services for the Solano County Family Urgent Response System through June 30, 2027.

• Approved a threeyear $255,000 contract with National Court Research, effective Dec. 1 through Dec. 1, 2028, to provide service of process of legal documents, with an option for two additional years at $90,000 per year.

• Adopted an ordinance adopting the 2025 State of California Building Codes and local amendments as part of Solano County Code.

Express Lanes, their tolls coming in mid-December

Express staff

Motorists on Interstate 80 have likely noticed over the past week or so the signs announcing that the Express Lanes will become official sometime in December.

Supervisor John Vasquez wanted to emphasize what that means.

“Drivers on Interstate 80 through Solano County should be advised that the Express Lanes are expected to go live in mid-December,” he wrote in his online newsletter.

The lanes will operate seven days a week, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Tolls are shown on

overhead signs along the highway and prices increase as traffic increases and decrease as traffic decreases,” Vasquez said.

Carpools with three or more people and motorcycles can use the lanes for free. Two-person carpools can use the lanes for half-toll. Solo drivers pay full tolls. All drivers must have FasTrak to use the lanes. Income-eligible drivers can also apply to receive discounts to use the I-80 express lanes.

Carpools and motorcycles must have a FasTrak Flex Toll Tag mounted in the vehicle and set properly

to receive free or discounted tolls.

“Caltrans and the Solano Transportation Authority began construction of the Solano I-80 Express Lanes project in May 2022. The project will combat growing traffic congestion in the Fairfield-Vacaville corridor. At Air Base Parkway, the busiest location, about 215,000 vehicles pass through daily,” Vasquez noted.

To learn more about the I-80 Express Lanes, visit expresslanes.511.org.

To get FasTrak Flex, visit bayareafastrak. org. To apply for income-based toll discounts, visit expresslanesstart.org.

Solano plugs in ordinance on BESS facility regulations

By Todd R. Hansen McNaughton Media

The Solano County supervisors on Nov. 4 adopted an ordinance that limits where certain kinds of battery energy storage facilities can be located.

The ordinance also creates stringent safety standards, including land use and siting standards, safety and setback requirements, technology assessment and risk management, impact mitigation/safety measures, permitting and review and decommissioning.

The vote was unanimous.

“The most important part is you have identified areas where these systems are appropriate,” said Michael Geller, a Vacaville resident who has followed the energy storage issue since it first emerged in the county.

Miranda Jachens, executive director of the Solano County Farm Bureau, applauded the board for preventing the facilities to be located in agricultural districts.

The ordinance allows the facilities in industrial and manufacturing districts, but each project still falls under the discretionary approval of the county.

The ordinance has been more than two years in the making.

Sarah Dunn, who has taken a lead role from the public’s perspective and was acknowledged by the county for that role, said the issue has educated her about the county – and its diverse character.

“It really is important to protect,” said Dunn, who also appreciated that the county is encouraging BESS developers to use safer technologies that are available.

The ordinance also keeps such facilities out of high- or very-high fire hazard zones; and they would not be allowed within FEMA-designated floodplains unless raised to at least 2 feet above base flood elevation.

The ordinance only addresses

“The most important part is you have identified areas where these systems are appropriate.”

Michael Gellar, resident

front-of-meter systems, the kind of systems that have raised safety concerns, and particularly with regard to thermal-runaway fire and the plume that can be created.

The safety concerns have been the primary issues raised by the public as applications for BESS projects have emerged. There are two that are at the state level, which could be approved without a county vote.

Board Chairman Mitch Mashburn again noted his displeasure with the state for passing legislation that allows these developers to work around county land-use controls.

James Bezek, director of the Department of Resource Management, said having the ordinance gives the state a county foundation for helping to make a decision.

One, the Corby Energy Storage LLC project, is proposed for a site near Dixon. The application is deemed to be complete, which puts it in the pipeline for approval.

Corby is looking to develop a 300-megawatt battery energy storage system on a 40-acre parcel of agricultural land south of Kilkenny Road and west of Byrnes Road, close to PG&E’s Vaca-Dixon Substation.

The substation is an ideal location for the companies because it would take less infrastructure to tie into the grid and move the energy when desired.

However, residents believe it is too close to urban uses, and adds risk to the agricultural lands.

Obituary

Donna Lee Eliza-

beth Marie Robinson Reifert passed away peacefully at home on the morning of October 4, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Donna was a cherished mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She could often be found tending to her beautiful gardens, reading a good book, talking with her best friend Sue, or spending time with her beloved animals. Her happiest times, however, were spent with her husband of 51 years, Jim, and their daughters, grandchildren and grand-puppies.

Donna was born in the small town of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, on June 14, 1947. The memories of her time spent in Wilmerding with her loving family were ones she would always cherish and gave her great comfort throughout her life. After being bicoastal during her childhood, her family eventually settled in Southern California. Donna graduated from Canoga Park High School

and then earned her BA in History from California State University, Northridge. She received her teaching credential and worked as an elementary school teacher before becoming a wife and mother. Once her daughters were born, Donna lovingly dedicated her time to raising her girls. She was their best friend and champion in everything they did. In 1984, Jim, Donna and the girls moved to Northern California, settling in Winters, where she would live for the rest of her life. When her daughters got older, Donna went back to school to pursue a second career in the medical field. She worked at Kaiser Per-

manente, Vacaville, for 18 years before retiring in 2013. In 2009, her first grandchild Gagie was born, followed by Olivia a few years later. She spent every moment of her retirement that she could with them, making sure they knew how much Grandma loved and adored them.

Donna’s greatest love and source of pride was her family. Donna leaves behind her husband Jim, daughters Jamie and Janna, and grandchildren Gagie and Olivia. She will also be greatly missed by her beloved brothers Richard (Jo), Brian (Teresa), Joe, and Jim (Lori). She was welcomed into heaven by her mother Audrey, her father Donald, and three sisters Jackie, Michelle, and Carol. She has also been happily reunited with the many pets she had loved throughout her life.

Donna will be remembered for her unwavering kindness and her generous, loyal, and loving heart. Her absence in this life has left our hearts broken, but our memories of her will forever bring us laughter, joy and a great sense of gratitude that we were blessed to have had her in our lives.

Her family will celebrate and honor her life at a private gathering in the spring.

130 Years Ago

November 30, 1895

The Express family was the recipient on Tuesday. of a Thanksgiving box with the compliments of the Sackett Brothers. The box contained nuts-almonds and English walnuts. olives, lemons and peaches, all the products of the Sackett ranch. Thanksgiving Day passes quietly in Winters. The business houses all closed at 11 o’clock for the day and the bank and schools were closed all day. Ida May, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Baker was 15 years old last Thursday, and in honor of the event gave a dinner to the junior class of the high school of which she is a member. Those present

Lake Berryessa water levels low

Express staff

The water level of Lake Berryessa slightly decreased by 0.04 feet over the past week, resulting in a difference of 714 acre-feet of water storage, according to Cristian Tejeda, Solano Irrigation District – Putah Diversion Office. On the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 25, he reported that the lake elevation was 428.98 feet above sea level, with the water storage behind the Monticello Dam calculated at 1,349,509 acre-feet. The SID released 25 cubic feet per second into the Putah South Canal, with 70 cubic feet flowing into lower Putah Creek at the Diversion Dam. Evaporation from the lake averaged 37.5 acre-feet of water per day.

Years Ago

Dispatches from the Express archives.

of the class were Blanche McNeal, Addie Cooper, Maimie Hill, Susie Dunton, Lorena Wolfskill. Florence Rommelsburg, Grace Jacks, Maud Paul, Estelle Duprey, Tom Smith and May Baker. Someone has taken Charley Elliott’s little gray shepherd dog, and the little boy will be glad to have the dog returned.

80 Years Ago

November 30, 1945

Mrs. Blanche Baker has returned from

Public Safety Report

(other)

Nov. 12: 10:14 a.m., First Street, Person in distress (other)

Nov. 13: 1:21 a.m., Edwards Street, Fire (other)

~11:49 a.m., Railroad Avenue, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~3:02 p.m., Edwards Street, False alarm or false call (other)

~5:47 p.m., E. Baker Street, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

Nov. 14: 2:14 a.m., Myrtle Drive, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~2:20 a.m., Roosevelt Avenue, False alarm or false call

~10:32 a.m., Cottage Circle, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~11:45 a.m., W. Grant Avenue, EMS call –excluding vehicle accident with injury

~3:51 p.m., County Road 28 and County Road 89, No incident found on arrival at dispatch address

Nov. 15: 6:19 a.m., Myrtle Drive, Dispatched and cancelled en route

~1:53 p.m., E. Grant Avenue, Motor vehicle accident with no injuries.

~2:04 p.m., Cottage Circle, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~6:37 p.m., Hillview Lane, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

Nov. 16: 6:13 a.m., Myrtle Drive, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury

~6:29 p.m., Olive

Pacific Grove and taken up residence in her home on East Edwards Street. Russell H. Pleasants returned home Sunday, having received his discharge in Los Angeles after spending eight months in Germany. Miss Clara Sager spent Thanksgiving Day with Lt. Monroe Drew (Chaplain, U.S. Navy) and family in Oakland. Seaman First Class Richard Washabaugh, of San Francisco, was a holiday visitor in Winters and in Monticello.

School Lane and Putah Creek Road, Passenger vehicle fire

Nov. 18: 9:43 p.m., Colby Lane, EMS call – excluding vehicle accident with injury View the Winters Fire Activity and Call Log at https://cityofwinters. org/157/Fire.

Police Report Log

Nov. 12: 3:52 p.m., 100th block of Colby Lane, Missing Person-Located ~10:22 p.m., 900th block of Railroad Avenue, Suspicious Circumstances

Nov. 13: 10:53 a.m., 700th block of Main Street, Violation of Court Order

Nov. 15: 1:53 p.m., 100th block of E. Grant Avenue, Traffic Collision

Nov. 19: 2:04 a.m., Highway 16/ Interstate 505, Outside Agency Assist View the Winters Police Department Arrest and Report Logs, visit www. cityofwinters.org/289/ Report-Arrest-Log

Eventos hispanos

Youth Of One organiza segunda colecta anual de juguetes navideños

Redacción del

Traducido por Carol Alfonso

La organización local de Winters, Youth Of One, lleva la alegría navideña a los niños de la comunidad con su segunda colecta anual de juguetes navideños. Fundada en el 2022, su fundador, Art García, hace un llamado a los residentes para que se unan y hagan del evento un éxito. Inspirado por las colectas de juguetes a gran escala que presenció en Los Ángeles, García espera crear una experiencia navideña significativa para su ciudad natal. Youth Of One ha centrado desde hace tiempo en empoderar a los jóvenes locales, fomentando la autoestima, la confianza y las habilidades sociales mediante programas

de trabajo en equipo y ejercicio. Esta colecta de juguetes amplía la misión de la organización para incluir la difusión de la alegría navideña.

Inscriba a un niño

Las familias pueden inscribir a sus hijos para participar visitando https://form.jotform. com/253224639794164, https://bit.ly/youthtoydrive25 o escaneando el código QR en la página de Facebook de Youth Of One. Se permite una inscripción por niño. El plazo de inscripción cierra el Viernes 19 de Diciembre a las 6:00 p.m.

Cómo ayudar

El éxito de la colecta de juguetes depende de la generosidad de la comunidad. Youth Of One busca donaciones de juguetes

para bebés y niños de 12 años. Los juguetes se pueden dejar en el estacionamiento de Kountry Kitchen en las siguientes fechas:

• 30 de Noviembre, de 12 a 3 p.m.

• 6 de Diciembre, de 2 a 4 p.m.

• 7 de Diciembre, de 2 a 4 p.m.

• 10 de Diciembre, de 5 a 7 p.m.

• 13 de Diciembre, de 12 a 3 p.m.

• 17 de Diciembre, de 5 a 7 p.m.

También se necesitan voluntarios para ayudar en la distribución de juguetes de 10:00 a 2:00 p.m. Para donar o ser voluntario, escriba a youthofonewinters@gmail. com.

Detalles del evento de distribución

La colecta de juguetes se llevará a

cabo el Sábado 20 de Diciembre en el Salón Wesley de la Iglesia Pioneer Church, ubicado en el 205 Russell

Ave. Además de elegir regalos, los niños podrán disfrutar de divertidas actividades para que el día sea

aún más especial. Si tienen alguna pregunta, pueden contactar a García en youthofonewinters@gmail.com.

Las sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica luchan en medio de los desafíos de la inmigración

Por Cheryl Platzman Weinstock KFF Health News

Línea de ayuda nacional para casos de violencia doméstica: Las personas que han sufrido abuso doméstico pueden recibir ayuda confidencial en thehotline.org o llamando al 800-799-7233.

La inmigrante originaria de India le creyó a su esposo cuando le dijo por teléfono que la mataría, si todavía estaba en su casa de Georgia para cuando él llegase en 10 minutos.

Contó que su esposo y su familia —también inmigrantes— la maltrataron durante todo el matrimonio: la golpeaban con un cinturón, le echaban agua caliente sobre el cuerpo, le hacían cortes en la piel y le estrellaban la cabeza contra la pared.

“Varias veces intenté escapar, pero me encontraban y me llevaban de vuelta a casa”, contó la mujer, quien está en el país sin autorización legal y habló bajo condición de anonimato por temor a que su identi-

ficación perjudicara sus posibilidades de regularizar su situación migratoria. Sin tiempo para huir después de escuchar la amenaza de su esposo, en julio de 2020, llamó al 911, aunque sabía que eso podía llevar a su deportación. La policía llegó y, según recuerda, encontró al esposo amenazándola con un cuchillo frente a sus hijos pequeños. Él hombre fue arrestado, pero no procesado, dijo ella. La mujer y sus hijos buscaron apoyo en el Centro de Justicia Tahirih (Tahirih Justice Center), una organización sin fines de lucro que ofrece servicios a nivel nacional a inmigrantes sobrevivientes de violencia de género. Cinco años después, aún sigue lidiando con el proceso migratorio. Además de ser más vulnerables a la violencia sexual, los inmigrantes enfrentan múltiples desafíos de salud física y mental, según los investigadores. Tienen tasas elevadas de trastorno

de estrés postraumático, depresión, suicidio y ansiedad, de acuerdo con un estudio de 2024.

Para sobrevivientes de abuso doméstico sin estatus legal, como la mujer de India, ir a las autoridades se vuelve aún más riesgoso en medio de la crisis migratoria, dijo Maricarmen Garza, abogada principal de la Comisión sobre Violencia Doméstica y Sexual de la Asociación de Abogados de Estados Unidos (American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence).

“No hay garantías”, explicó Garza, “especialmente por cómo la aplicación de las leyes migratorias está entrelazada con las fuerzas del orden”.

En más de la mitad de los estados, los agentes del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos (ICE) pueden colaborar mediante acuerdos formales con agencias policiales estatales y locales para identificar y deportar a perso-

nas que se encuentran en el país sin autorización. Según defensores de víctimas, esto puede obstaculizar los intentos de obtener el certificado necesario para solicitar una “visa U”, que permitiría a la persona vivir y trabajar legalmente en Estados Unidos, con la posibilidad de obtener la residencia permanente.

La mujer de India recuerda que la policía le dijo que, si presentaba cargos, podría obtener el certificado para solicitar una visa U. Ella aceptó, pero recuerda la ansiedad que le provocó presentar alrededor de cinco informes de abuso en dos años para lograrlo. “Me daban ataques de pánico solo al escribirlos, porque significaba revivir todo otra vez”, contó.

Agregó que las “acusaciones sin pruebas” de que a inmigrantes se les ha pedido que retiren cargos “no deben tomarse en serio”. Las mujeres inmigrantes sin estatus legal pueden ser especialmente vulner-

ables al abuso y a la explotación debido a barreras de idioma, aislamiento cultural y social, según investigadores.

Un informe de 2023 señaló que, en algunos grupos de inmigrantes, hasta el 93% de las mujeres ha sufrido violencia de pareja en algún momento de su vida, en comparación con alrededor del 41% de las mujeres nacidas en Estados Unidos. A medida que la administración Trump reconfigura el sistema migratorio del país, quienes han sufrido violencia y llegaron sin autorización enfrentan mayores obstáculos para demostrar su abuso y trauma ante las autoridades migratorias, dijeron defensores. Un programa de salud para refugiados

y asilo de la Universidad Johns Hopkins ofrece evaluaciones forenses gratuitas a víctimas inmigrantes para respaldar sus solicitudes de ayuda humanitaria, incluyendo la solicitud de visas U. Warren, subdirectora del programa para la salud de la mujer, dijo que antes bastaba con una declaración escrita de los hallazgos clínicos para respaldar las declaraciones legales de las solicitantes. —KFF Health News es una redacción nacional que produce periodismo de profundidad sobre temas de salud y es uno de los programas operativos principales de KFF, una fuente independiente de investigación, encuestas y periodismo sobre políticas de salud. Más información en kffhealthnews.org.

is for downtown. It’s preferable to provide some space for seniors in the short term, but we have to have a vision before we start committing money to it.”

Council member Richard Casavecchia expressed concern that the already somewhat old community center building may not hold up long enough to be worth the expansion, but Mayor Albert Vallecillo assured him that with the renovations the city has money set aside for, the building likely has another 50 years of life in it.

“It’s important we don’t kick this can down the road,” Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Biasi said. “We need to get this going.”

Given the unanimous approval, the architectural company will return to the council at a later date to present several concept drawings to the council and the public for consideration.

Native American Heritage Month

November was recognized as Native American Heritage Month, with four coun-

PROPERTY

Continued from Page 1

single family residential homes.

• Fifth/Oak/Sixth/ Cross streets: This site is two parcels of land located on those respective corners.

The parcel on the 5th/Oak corner is 0.68 acres and is currently vacant. The parcel on the corner of 6th/ Cross is 1.66 acres.

Buildings onsite are currently used by a non-profit to operate a recycling and e-waste center. Surrounding land uses to the west and south include single family residential homes, a Woodland Police Department building to the north and a public parking lot/historic railyard to the east.

• Adult Day Health Center: The existing and currently operating ADHC site is roughly 500 feet north from the intersection of West Beamer and North Cottonwood and encompasses roughly 1.39 acres.

Dignity Health currently operates ADHC onsite but are working to relocate to a new facility at another county-owned property.

Before embarking on further exploration on the potential of these sites for development, staff sought support for funding of a Phase One Environmental Assessment (ESA) of the sites.

“A Phase I ESA is an environmental due diligence process for real estate, used to identify potential contamination by reviewing historical records, conducting a site visit and interviewing knowledgeable individuals,” reads the staff report. “It is not a physical testing of materials like soil or paint.”

With Chair Mary Vixie Sandy abstaining, the board voted 4-0 to do ESA’s on all three sites as needed.

An ESA was already completed on 5th and Oak. Director of General Services Ryan Pistochini believed that an ESA done on the county hospital

cil members voting yes on the proclamation, and Casavecchia voting no. During the discussion related to the proclamation for Native American Heritage Month, Casavecchia shared that while he agrees with the majority of the proclamation, he did not feel comfortable with the wording of the land acknowledgement statement included, which states that, “The city of Winters was established in 1898, within an area of California that represented the unceded territory of indigenous people.”

Referring to it as a “political virtue signal,” Casavecchia referenced a conversation that the council had earlier in the year, where they agreed to keep political or divisive statements out of proclamations, to ensure the council members, who represent the entire community, are not making political statements on behalf of the city.

“If we struck (the land acknowledgement), I’d be more than happy to sign it to acknowledge the contributions of our neighbors,” Casavecchia said. “But if it remains as is, I’ll con-

may have encapsulated the ADHC site but that this would need to be looked into further. Each ESA is estimated to cost approximately $11,000. The board also asked that analysis be focused initially on farmworker housing viability. Staff would then come back and potentially form an ad hoc subcommittee on housing in general across the county. If any of the three sites are deemed unfeasible for farmworker housing for whatever reason, then evaluation of those sites could be expanded for other potential uses.

Revenue enhancement options

Chief financial officer Tom Haynes presented options to the board in regards to revenue enhancement, as Yolo County is facing a structural budget deficit.

Options laid out by Haynes included potential property taxes, voter-approved taxes, taxes not requiring voter approval and fees.

Voter-approved taxes mentioned by Haynes were sales tax, parcel tax, transient occupancy tax, utility user tax, business license tax, en-

tinue to abstain from signing.”

Council members Carol Scianna and Jesse Loren said that they felt the wording of the statement was based in historical fact, not political ideology, so they chose to keep the statement.

Brittany Puccinelli, director of Public Relations of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, was present at the meeting and expressed gratitude to the council for recognizing the connection of the Patwin people to Yolo County, which goes back for thousands of years.

“We’re especially proud of the tribe’s role in supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Yolo County,” Puccinelli said. “Thank you for this recognition of our dedication to cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and betterment of our community.”

Natural Resource Commission presentation

Laddish provided an update on the work that the Winters Natural Resource Commission has been doing over the past two years. The group, originally established

tertainment/ticket tax and gravel tax. A fee example provided by Haynes was a parking fee at all county-owned lots.

County administrator Mike Webb says staff will work with the budget ad hoc subcommittee to refine options and return to the board with a strategy and timelines.

State of county facilities

Pistochini briefed the board on the state of various county facilities. He explained to the board that several county buildings built in the mid 2000s are approaching a key 20-year point when certain building systems need to be replaced or renewed.

Current Replacement Value is the cost to replace a facility. The average cost is $591/per square foot. This means total CRV is approximately $500 million.

Moving forward, facilities condition assessments will be conducted. A consultant will review all county facilities and identify deficiencies and deferred maintenance. Identified issues will be assigned an estimated value in which to correct. Also, each facility will be as-

in 2021, is tasked with providing recommendations to the city council and to the planning commission about the preservation, conservation and enhancement of natural resources, and providing technical expertise and public education programs to the city and the community.

Laddish shared a brief overview of more than 20 ongoing or recently completed projects from the commission, including an extensive overview of their work in Putah Creek Nature Park, along with a variety of local partners. They’re working on the eradication of invasive vegetation, planting trees along

push for an official outdoor lighting ordinance for the city of Winters, engage in the discussions surrounding the Farmstead development, and explore options for increasing wildfire resilience in the area. The council thanked the commission for the work they do, and said they’re very amenable to working on a lighting ordinance and working towards dark skies-friendly policies in the Farmstead development.

Public input

During the public comment period, Martinez shared a public comment similarly related to natural resources in Winters, speaking once again about the lack of an of-

“It’s a detriment to our city to not have the right amount of open space for our residents.”

Corinne Martinez, resident

the trail, planting monarch waystations, addressing unauthorized camping in the nature park, and more.

They also highlighted upcoming plans to

signed a score based on cost to correct, versus cost to replace.

“We are really focused on ‘how do we rehab our existing facilities?’,” said Pistochini. “It’s a cheaper proposition that can still be very effective but once we rehab it, we are back into ‘how do we make sure we don’t have deferred maintenance?”

Audit committee

Unanimously approved by the board was an ordinance amending Title 2, Chapter 2 of the Yolo County Code to add Article 40, establishing the county’s Audit Committee. This committee will be responsible for overseeing the Internal Audit function.

Membership will include two members of the Board of Supervisors and one public member, with alternates designated by the board. The committee will meet at least quarterly and will replace the Audit Subcommittee as the primary governance body for Internal Audit.

The committee’s duties are to approve the Internal Audit Charter and annual audit plan, monitor the status of audit

ficial open space ordinance in Winters. Martinez said that as Winters currently stands, less than 10 percent of the city is open space, and suggested striving for up to 25 percent.

recommendations, oversee the county’s fraud reporting and whistleblower program and participate in the appointment and evaluation of the audit manager.

Presentations and resolutions

Informational-only presentations were given to the board on a countywide community survey commissioned by First 5 Yolo to better understand community perception of early childhood needs and the extent of support for additional funding options, as well as Fire Safe Council project deliverables from the Yolo County Resource Conservation District. As per the First 5-commissioned survey, the biggest concerns in the county are the costs of living, housing, healthcare, as well as homelessness. Residents also

“We’re shortchanging our citizens,” Martinez said. “We need parks, we need sports parks, we need walking parks, we need places for people to go. It’s a detriment to our city to not have the right amount of open space for our residents.”

Lowden also spoke during the public comment period, inviting seniors to the Dec. 4 holiday luncheon. Older adults who would like to attend are encouraged to reach out to Lowden at the Winters Senior Foundation for more information.

Rick von Geldern repeated comments from earlier meetings about the need for an official discussion and/or policy regarding youth e-scooter riding in Winters, and presented councilmembers with an information packet he drafted. The packet was also posted on social media, sent to the Winters Joint Unified School District superintendent Rody Boonchouy and the Winters Express editor-in-chief Crystal Apilado.

“The city has a duty to keep children safe and to enforce the law,” von Geldern said.

see children ages 5 and under as the highest priority for additional funding. The mission of the YCSFC is to reduce the risk of wildfire and to protect the people, property, ecological and cultural resources in both urban and rural communities throughout Yolo County from the effects of catastrophic wildfire through education, cooperation, innovation and action.

November was declared Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Family Literacy Awareness Month. Nov. 17-21 was recognized as California Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Week.

The Semiquincentennial Celebration of the founding of the U.S. was also commemorated.

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is set to meet next on Dec. 9.

Senior News

When a hearing aid alone isn’t enough

By Paula Span KFF Health News

Kitty Grutzmacher had contended with poor hearing for a decade, but the problem had worsened over the past year. Even with her hearing aids, “there was little or no sound,” she said.

“I was avoiding going out in groups. I stopped playing cards, stopped going to Bible study, even going to church.”

Her audiologist was unable to offer Grutzmacher, a retired nurse in Elgin, Illinois, a solution. But she found her way to the cochlear implant program at Northwestern University.

There, Krystine Mullins, an audiologist who assesses patients’ hearing and counsels them about their options, explained that surgically implanting this electronic device usually substantially improved a patient’s ability to understand speech.

That she was 84 was, in itself, immaterial. “As long as you’re healthy enough to undergo surgery, age is not a concern,” Mullins said. One recent Northwestern implant patient had been 99. Some patients need to ponder this decision, given that after the operation, clearer hearing still requires months of practice and adaptation, and the degree of improve-

The New Old Age

ment is hard to predict. “You can’t try it out in advance,” Mullins said.

But Grutzmacher didn’t hesitate. “I couldn’t go on the way I was,” she said in a postimplant phone interview — one that involved frustrating repetition, but would have been impossible a few weeks earlier. “I was completely isolated.”

Hearing loss among older adults remains vastly undertreated.

Federal epidemiologists have estimated that it affects about 1 in 5 people ages 65 to 74 and more than half of those over 75.

“The inner ear mechanisms weren’t built for longevity,” said Cameron Wick, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at University Hospitals in Cleveland.

Although hearing loss can contribute to depression, social disconnection, and cognitive decline, fewer than a third of people over 70 who could benefit from hearing aids have worn them.

For those who do, “if your hearing aids no longer give you clarity, you should ask for a cochlear implant assessment,” Wick said.

Twenty-five years ago, “it was a novelty to implant people over 80,” said Charles

Della Santina, director of the Johns Hopkins Cochlear Implant Center. “Now, it’s pretty routine practice.”

In fact, a study published in 2023 in the journal Otology & Neurotology reported that cochlear implantation was increasing at a higher rate in patients over 80 than in any other age group.

Until recently, Medicare covered the procedure for only those with extremely limited hearing who could correctly repeat less than 40 percent of the words on a word recognition test. Without insurance — cochlear implantation can cost $100,000 or more for the device, surgery, counseling, and follow-up — many older people don’t have the option.

Then, in 2022, Medicare expanded cochlear implant coverage to include older adults who could identify up to 60 percent of words on a speech recognition test, increasing the pool of eligible patients.

Still, while the American Cochlear Implant Alliance estimates that implants are increasing by about 10 percent annually, public awareness and referrals from audiologists remain low. Less than 10 percent of eligible adults with “moderate to profound” hearing loss receive them, the alliance says. Cochlear implan-

tation requires commitment.

After the patient receives testing and counseling, the surgery, which is an outpatient procedure, typically takes two to three hours. Many adults undergo surgery on one ear and continue using a hearing aid in the other; some later go on to get a second implant.

The surgeon implants an internal receiver beneath the patient’s scalp and inserts electrodes, which stimulate the auditory nerve, into the inner ear; patients also wear an external processor behind the ear. (Clinical trials of an entirely internal device are underway.)

Two or three weeks later, after the swelling recedes and the patient’s stitches have been removed, an audiologist activates the device.

“When we first turn it on, you won’t like what you hear,” Wick cautioned. Voices initially sound robotic, mechanical. It takes several weeks for the brain to adjust and for patients to reliably decipher words and sentences.

“A cochlear implant is not something you just turn on and it works,” Mullins said. “It takes time and some training to get used to the new sound quality.” She assigns homework, like reading aloud for 20 minutes a day and watching television while reading the captions.

ment continues for a year or longer.

How much improvement? That’s measured by two hearing tests: The CNC (consonant-nucleus-consonant) test, in which patients are asked to repeat individual words, and the AzBio Sentence Test, in which the words to be repeated are part of full sentences.

At Northwestern, Mullins tells older prospective patients that one year after activation, a 60 percent to 70 percent AzBio score — correctly repeating 60 to 70 words out of 100 — is typical.

AJohns Hopkins study of about 1,100 adults, published in 2023, found that after implantation, patients 65 and older could correctly identify about 50 additional words (out of 100) on the AzBio test, an increase comparable to the younger cohort’s results.

Participants over 80 showed roughly as much improvement as those in their late 60s and 70s.

“They transition from having a hard time following a conversation to being able to participate,” said Della Santina, an author of the study. “Decade by decade, cochlear implant results have gotten better and better.”

six months of using a cochlear implant, 54 percent of participants had a passing score, compared with 36 percent presurgery.

Studies that focus on people in their 80s and 90s have shown that those with mild cognitive impairment also benefit from implants.

Nevertheless,

“we’re cautious not to overpromise,” Wick said. Usually, the longer that older patients have had significant hearing loss, the harder they must work to regain their hearing and the less improvement they may see.

A minority of patients feel dizzy or nauseated after surgery, though most recover quickly. Some struggle with the technology, including phone apps that adjust the sound. Implants are less effective in noisy settings like crowded restaurants, and since they are designed to clarify speech, music may not sound great.

For those at the upper end of Medicare eligibility who already understand roughly half of the speech they hear, implantation may not seem worth the effort.

“Just because someone is eligible doesn’t mean it’s in their best interests,” Wick said.

The New Old Age is produced through a partnership with The New York Times.

Within one to three months, “boom, the brain starts getting it, and speech clarity takes off,” Wick said. By six months, older adults will have reached most of their enhanced clarity, though some improve-

Moreover, an analysis of 70 older patients’ experiences at 13 implantation centers, for which Wick was the lead author, found not only “clinically important” hearing improvements but also higher quality-of-life ratings.

Scores on a standard cognitive test climbed, too: After

— KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more at kffhealthnews.org.

Yolo County pet food drives aim to support pets — and the people who care for them

Yolo County residents have two opportunities this season to support local pets and their owners, as community partners launch countywide pet food drives to address rising costs and growing food insecurity.

Support for older adult pet owners

Meals on Wheels

Yolo County (MOW Yolo) is collecting donations through Dec. 31 for its “Passion For PAWS” pet food and supplies drive, benefiting food-insecure older adults and their animals. The effort supports the nonprofit’s MOW PAWS – Pets and Well Seniors program, which provides pet food, treats, litter, and basic supplies to

homebound seniors who might otherwise struggle to care for their companions.

“Pet food, like everything else, is expensive, but Chiquita is my baby,” said Woodland resident and MOW Yolo meal recipient Frank Valenzuela. “Even though the food is expensive, I will do anything for my baby Chiquita.”

More than 50 seniors and more than 90 pets currently depend on MOW PAWS, according to Kathy Tuel, MOW Yolo’s programs manager. “These deliveries are crucial not only for the pets’ well-being, but also for maintaining the human-animal bond,” she said.

The program, now operating in Winters, Woodland, Davis and West Sacramento is

slated to expand into rural Yolo County in early 2026. Donations of unopened dog and cat food, treats, collars, leashes, and other essentials may be dropped off at sites across the county through the end of the year. Details are available at mowyolo. org/s4s.

Countywide drive for families

Yolo County Animal Services (YCAS) has launched a yearlong countywide pet food donation program to help families experiencing financial strain, including those affected by reductions in SNAP benefits. Donations collected through the end of 2025 will be distributed to residents in need to keep pets fed and in their homes.

Local input to shape new creative economy plan

YoloArts to co-host Town Hall with California for the Arts around creative economy

Special to the Express

YoloArts is proud to support California for the Arts (CFTA) as they lead the regional efforts for the California Arts Council’s (CAC) Creative Economies in Action: 2025 Statewide Engagement Tour. This vital initiative will build upon California’s first Creative Economy Strategic Plan and inform a comprehensive addendum to be submitted to the Governor’s Office and State Legislature in 2026.

Our involvement will primarily focus on local engagement. This includes:

Co-Hosting a public town hall at International House Davis on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Outreach for an online survey to gather broad input and sto-

ries of impact.

Members of the public, especially those involved in the arts and creative industries across Yolo County, are strongly encouraged to participate in the upcoming town hall in Davis. The town hall will include a presentation from the CAC on the Creative Economy Strategic Plan and remarks from Creative Economy Workgroup members, Julie Baker with CFTA and Jason Jong with the city of Sacramento Office of Arts & Culture.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in small group discussions. Your input will directly shape the future of California’s vibrant creative economy.

The Creative Economy Strategic Plan titled “California’s Future Is Creative” is a blueprint presenting six key strategies to bolster the state’s $288 billion creative sector and workforce support for its more than 820,000 creative workers.

The strategic plan, direct registration links, and additional opportunities to provide input are available at creativeeconomy.arts.ca.gov and shared via YoloArts’ newsletters and social media channels.

“Now more than ever, our community needs your support,” said Stephanie Amato, director of YCAS. “No one should have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets.”

Donation bins are located at PetSmart in Davis, Pet Supplies Plus in Woodland, and the YCAS shelter at 2640 E. Gibson Road in Woodland. Online donations are available through Amazon and Chewy wishlists at YoloShelter.org/donate.

YCAS is also seeking volunteers to help gather and distribute donations. Residents and businesses interested in participating may contact Volunteer@YoloShelter.org or Info@YoloShelter. org.

UC students breed new crop varieties for organic farms

California Farm Bureau

Special to the Express

A student-led breeding program at the University of California will soon release new crop varieties for organic farmers. The Student Collaborative Organic Plant Breeding Education program, developed in 2015, came in response to grower reports of a need for more organic seeds.

In one project, student breeders are developing new organic wheat varieties using heritage wheats. The lines have good bread-making traits, no awns, and colors including blue, purple, and charcoal. Students are also working on varieties that resist lodging and have improved yields.

UC researcher and project coordinator Laura Roser said her

team is close to having varieties ready, with seeds available to growers. Two to three specialty wheat varieties could be released in the next year or two, said graduate student Ali Said Yusuf. Growers interested may contact Roser at lcroser @ucdavis.edu.

The program has also produced new organic tomato varieties, Orange Creamsicle and Rockin’ Roma, which could be available next spring. Orange Creamsicle is a round, fresh-market type with a tart taste and smooth finish, while Rockin’ Roma is firm with balanced acidity.

New zinnia varieties offer bicolor flowers, varied petal shapes, longer vase life, and better resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew. One, Shirley, is taller with

larger orange flowers. Trials continue as the program scales up seed production, with commercial release possible in the next year or two. Field trials are also ongoing for sweet potatoes and celtuce, an Asian vegetable. Students are testing 45 sweet potato types to combine less common, good-tasting varieties with those that grow well on California organic farms. For celtuce, they are testing frost-tolerant varieties for fall and winter and spring types that resist bolting, evaluating flavor, texture, new colors, leaf shapes, and traits that extend the growing season. This article was originally published in the Oct. 15, 2025, issue of Ag Alert, and is reprinted with permission of the California Farm Bureau.

Thursdays

Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690, https://yolofoodbank.org/find-food

Saturday, November 29

Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution Saturdays, 11 a.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue

Sunday, November 30

Youth of One Toy Donation Drop Off, 12–3 p.m. Kountry Kitchen parking lot, 11 Grant Ave.

Monday, December 8

Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting

6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters. org/182/Climate-Action-Commission

Upcoming meeting changes

Tuesday, December 16

Winters City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Council chamber (318 First St.), Zoom Meeting info, check www.cityofwinters.org/ city-council-meetings_/

Thursday, December 18

Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://bit.ly/4fwmfHK or www.wintersjusd.org

Library Services

Winters Library Open to Public (No School in Session) Nov. 24 to Dec. 1, Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/Sat: 1–5 p.m.

Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library

Virtual English Conversation Group, Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@yolocounty.org

Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m. Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request.

Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing Older Adult Programs

Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Cafe Yolo Social Dining, Thurdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Winters Community Center (201 Railroad Ave.), Reservations required 24 hours in advance at 530-662-7035 or welcome@mowyolo.org

Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Thurdays, 12:30-3 p.m., Winters Community Center (201 Railroad Ave.)

Ongoing

View the Winters community events calendar at https://bit.ly/WintersCommunityEvents

Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org

Winters Fortnightly meeting second Tuesdays (September thru May), 1 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 W. Main St.

Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn Winters Museum public hours Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St., historicalsocietyofwinters.org

Saved & Sober program, Thursdays, 7p.m., The Rock Church West, 201 Main St. Winters Open Mic, third Thursday, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.), Winters Opera House (13 Main St.), Visit wintersopenmic.org

Metaphysical Book Club, third Friday at 5 p.m., 212 Grant Ave., Sign up at dixiesbookclub@gmail.com, call 530-212-5026, or just drop in

12-Step Bonfire meeting, third Friday, 6:30 p.m. fellowship, 7 p.m. meeting, LuNita Ranch, 8189 Olive School Ln, Winters, Bring a camp chair.

Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m., Turkovich Family Wines - Boss Lounge, kiwanisclubofwinters@gmail.com

Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org

Dance Fitness, - first/third Sundays February thru July, 8 to 9 a.m., Winters Community Library. No registration required.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings:

» St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m. » Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.

California home sales climb HOMES, Page 2

Winters sidewalks need help OPINION, Page 5

Mildew, watering plant care advice

Ask a Master Gardener

Special to the Express

This column is written by the Master Gardeners of Yolo County each month. It provides answers to selected questions recently asked by Yolo County gardeners.

“Ask a Master Gardener” fields questions directly from Yolo County gardeners and other garden enthusiasts. Questions for this column can be sent to the authors at jmbaumbach@ucanr. edu, with “Ask MGs” in the subject line. People submitting questions will remain anonymous, if desired. When emailing a question, please include as many details as possible. The master gardener authors strongly encourage including photographs, not only to help with finding the correct answer but also potentially to include in the column. Photos can be published credited or uncredited, depending on the contributor’s wishes. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to answer all the questions submitted but will do our best to get an answer for you.

Prevent and control mildew

Q: I have powdery mildew on everything. What do I do?

A: Powdery mildew is common this time of year. It is a fungal disease that appears as white, powdery patches on the upper surface of leaves, stems and buds. Poor air circulation and shade promote growth. Unlike many fungal diseases, it thrives in warm, dry conditions. Our fall temperatures of 60 to 80 degrees are ideal for it.

While it rarely kills plants outright, it weakens them by reducing photosynthesis and vigor. It is, at a minimum, unsightly. The good news is that once temperatures drop and rain starts, active infections should disappear.

Preventing the disease is more effective than eliminating it once started. We’ll cover that below. For now, there are a few things you can do. Remove and dispose of the most heavily infected leaves or shoots (don’t compost them). Thin out dense growth to improve air circulation and light penetration. Powdery mildew on vegetables and annual flowers this time of year is a sign that they failing and removal is warranted. Clean up fallen leaves and debris around the base of plants to reduce reinfection sources. A fresh layer of mulch can help.

To eradicate powdery mildew infections, the most environmentally friendly alternative is to use a horticultural oil or one of the plantbased oils such as Neem oil or Jojoba oil. You should never apply oils when temperatures are above ninety degrees or to water-stressed plants. A chemical fungicide, Myclobutanil (Immunox), is available to

the home gardener and functions to reduce infestations and protects against new infection. Reapply every seven to ten days, or in accord with label directions, until new growth appears clean. Even after visible mildew fades, spores can linger, so continue sprays if weather conditions favor recurrence.

Preventing infection is the best approach. Here are a few suggestions for next year. For new plantings, powdery mildew resistant cultivars are available in many instances, and worth searching out. Space plants so that there is good air circulation. Full sun, for those plants that can tolerate it, will reduce infestations. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizing or use a slow-release fertilizer since new growth is most susceptible.

Oil sprays also work as a preventative. Sulfur products, used for centuries to manage fungi, are effective only when applied before the disease appears. Wettable products work best, both pre-mixed and in powder form to mix with water. Sulfur can damage some ornamental cultivars. To avoid injuring any plant, do not apply sulfur when the temperature is near or higher than ninety degrees, and do not apply it within two weeks of an oil spray. Here is an integrated pest management article for additional information: https:// ipm.ucanr.edu/homeand-landscape/powdery-mildew-on-ornamentals/pestnotes/#gsc.tab=0.

Watering landscape trees

Q: How do I best irrigate a landscape tree?

(Revisited)

A: In our September column, we were asked how much water to give a landscape tree. We offered an often-recommended “formula” of 10 to 15 gallons per inch of trunk diameter two to three times per month. The water needs of shade tree species vary. Growing conditions, the number of competing plants all effect how much water a particular tree may need. It is always necessary to watch how your tree is doing. Having said that, there is another formula that may be more accurate, especially for broad shade trees and those not adapted to our hot summers. It is a little more complicated but worth using if your tree seems to be suffering from water stress. This formula is

& Tree Lighting Festival

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH & SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH

California home sales hit highest level since February

California Association of Realtors Special to the Express

California home sales rose in October from both the prior month and a year ago to reach the highest level since February, the California Association of Realtors said on Nov. 18.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 282,590 in October, according to information collected by CAR from more than 90 local Real-

tor associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2025 if sales maintained the October pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales. October home sales edged up 1.9 percent from 277,410 in September to 282,590 in October. Home sales improved 4.1 percent from a revised 271,370 recorded a year earlier. Total home sales through the first ten months of 2025 also moved further above last year’s level in October. Nevertheless, October marked the 37th consecutive month in which statewide sales remained

California home‑sales and median price trends for October 2025 — showing year‑over‑year and month‑over‑month shifts across regions and counties.

below the 300,000-unit benchmark.

Statewide pending home sales in October edged up 0.8 percent year over year — the third consecutive annual increase but

slipped 1.2 percent from September due primarily to seasonal factors. At the county level, pending sales improved from last year in 26 counties but dipped year-over-year in 24 counties.

move in the California real estate market.”

The statewide median home price ticked up 0.4 percent from $883,640 in September to $886,960 in October, bucking the longrun declining trend at an average of -1.4 percent observed between September and October. The October median price dipped year over year for the first time in three months, down 0.2 percent to $888,740 but remained near the record-high reached six months ago. Despite stabilizing home prices in recent months, mortgage rate volatility and heightened economic uncertainty could continue to keep prospective buyers on the sidelines and may delay a broader recovery in the near term.

“Housing demand in California has been steadily improving, with home sales rising for the third month in a row. Even though mortgage rates have inched up since late October, the market remains active, and buyers still have solid opportunities,” said 2026 CAR President Tamara Suminski, a Southern California broker and Realtor.

“Home prices are growing at a manageable pace, and we’re seeing a healthier balance between buyers and sellers. As we head into 2026, these trends point to a promising moment for anyone considering a

“Mortgage rates, which briefly approached their 12-month low in October, have resumed an upward trajectory as the Federal Reserve took a more cautious approach during the government shutdown,” said CAR Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. “With the market easing into its seasonal slowdown, housing demand will stay soft, and California is likely to close out 2025 with only a modest uptick in home sales over last year.”

Express Yourself

Letters

Great new urgent care in Winters

This past week, my wife needed urgent care. Her regular providers, of course, were too busy, so we decided to try out North Bay’s new service here in Winters. We will definitely be going back.

There was no wait, and the quality of medical care exceeded what we have been accustomed to receiving from our regular provider in Davis and Vacaville. The re-furbished Eagle Drug building is unbelievable. Examination rooms have plenty of space, even for wheelchairs. They can do X-rays and get radiology reports within minutes.

I learned that a primary care physician is also on duty in this office. We are fortunate to have this new medical group in town.

PATRICK WALL Winters

Community makes it happen

Thank you for your incredible support with this year’s Turkey Trot. From generous donations to showing up and helping ensure our students were safe and encouraged throughout the event, your partnership made the day a true success. We are grateful for a community that consistently shows up for our students and strengthens the traditions that make Winters Middle School and our Winters community so special.

JOSE BERMUDEZ

Winters Middle school PrinciPal

Recognizing the contributions of family caregivers

November is National Family Caregivers

Month — a time to honor the extraordinary individuals who step up every day to care for a loved one in need. Across our communities, family caregivers make profound personal and financial sacrifices to ensure their parents, partners, children, and friends can live with dignity. They are quiet heroes holding families together, strengthening our economy, and supporting our health care system in ways that too often go unseen.

But gratitude alone isn’t enough. As care costs rise and responsibilities grow more demanding, it is more important than ever we recognize caregivers not only with thanks, but with meaningful support. We have a responsibility to ensure they are not carrying this burden alone.

See LETTER, Page 4

Horoscopes

ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20)

Right now you are inspired to roll up your sleeves and clear away the clutter so you can focus on what counts, Aries. Your productivity soars this week.

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21)

Your words will carry extra weight between this week and next, Taurus. Don’t hold back on speaking about what is in your heart. You may navigate your way to romance.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21)

Gemini, this week you may feel energized to pursue new connections with family and friends. Plan a few long overdue catch-ups, and bask in that feeling of contentment.

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22)

Some may call you timid, Cancer, but not this week. You put all of yourself out there the next few days, and others may be hanging on your every word.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23)

Money is at the top of your priority list, Leo. You may be dreaming big or content to just make sense of finances that have gotten a bit off the rails.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22)

Virgo, it’s all about honesty this week and letting others in. Don’t sugarcoat things with the people you love. They will love you even if you’re in need of some support.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23)

Libra, release what is draining your energy, especially before the busy holiday season is in full force. Wrap up lingering projects and bow out of obligations that are stretching you too thin.

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22)

Scorpio, you are selective about your social circle, but stay open to new friendships. New allies bring surprising opportunities if you simply let them in.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21)

Your ambitious streak is on fire right now, Sagittarius. Partnerships and acquisitions are very much within reach, so start conversations now. It’s time to network as much as possible.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20)

You pride yourself on telling it like it is, Capricorn. But candor can sometimes be costly. A measured approach in a delicate situation this week can serve you well.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18)

Typically “what you see is what you get” is your mantra, Aquarius. Yet, this week you might hold something back to be a bit more mysterious. Others may not catch on right away.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20)

Relationships take center stage in your life, Pisces. Talks of further commitment could come up more often than in the past. This is an important time.

based on the evaporation and transpiration (ET) of a standard landscape tree. It starts with measurements conducted on lawns. You can actually get real-time information on the web for the amount of water evaporated and transpired (yes, plants breathe) by a lawn in Yolo County each day. Trees can do well on about half the water a lawn needs so the formula uses a coefficient of 0.5.

In this formula, ET is expressed in inches of water over a given area. The area is the area that your tree covers. You get that with the standard formula for the area of a circle: pi (3.14) times radius-squared. It also includes a factor (.623) that converts inches of water to gallons for convenience.

The ET is going to vary depending on the weather. And you don’t want to recalculate this every day the way a farmer would. So, for the hot months of June, July and August, 8 inches of water per month is a reasonable historic average. In the cooler but dry months before

LETTERS

Continued from Page 3

That is why, as Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, I introduced the bipartisan Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act with my colleague Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL). This bipartisan legislation will help reduce the financial strain on caregivers and give families the relief they deserve by allowing people to use tax-free health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts on medical expenses for their parents and loved ones. Supporting caregivers isn’t a Democratic issue or Republican issue — it’s a family issue, and it affects all of us.

Family caregivers represent the best of who we are: selfless, resilient, and dedicated to the people they love. This month, and every month, we must honor their contributions and commit to policies that support them.

REP. MIKE THOMPSON D-St. Helena

and after, an ET of 5 inches per month is a good starting point. Note that particularly hot, dry periods that extend for multiple weeks may need an upwards adjustment. So, here’s the formula: ET x .5 x pi x R squared x .623. This will give you gallons of water to apply in a month. For a mature shade tree, this amount should be divided between two applications. Mature trees should be watered deeply and infrequently. Trees three years old and younger will need to be watered weekly but the total amount can still be found using this formula with the caveat that an immature tree with an immature root system may need more water during a particu-

larly hot, dry period. Let’s apply that to a landscape tree with a twelve-foot radius in the month of July: 8 x .5 x 3.14 x 12 x 12 x .623 = 1126 gallons per month. If you water two times per month, you would apply 563 gallons each time. Trees take up a lot of water. And, this formula applies only to landscape trees. A fruit tree may need even more water, especially when its fruit is growing bigger. Even landscape trees vary significantly. A tree adapted to hot, dry climates may need much less. Plenty of our native trees do just fine in natural settings, in non-drought years, with no additional water. On the other hand, many of our landscape trees are from temperate climates where

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE Jesse Salinas Yolo County Clerk/Recorder

F20250957 11/14/2025

Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business: TRAILER TRASH AND JUNK REMOVAL

Mailing Address: Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential

Address, State, and Zip: 1 DENNIS PEART 1334 COLLEGE ST WOODLAND CA 95695 BUSINESS CLA SSIFICATION: INDIVIDUAL

Starting Date of Business: N/A /S/ DENNIS PEART If Corporation or LLC - Title of Officer Signing: OWNER I hereby certify

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK S OFFICE Jesse Salinas, Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20250887 10/17/2025

Business is located in YOLO County Fictitious Business: C & E PARTY RENTAL

Physical Address: 602 4TH ST WINTERS CA 95694 Mailing Address: 423 MAIN STREET, WINTERS CA 95694

Names of Registrant(s)/Owner(s) & Physical Residential Address State and Zip: 1 VIOLETA BARAJAS CORONA 602 4TH ST, WINTER S CA 95694

2 JOSE DANIEL CORONA BAEZ 602 4TH ST WINTERS CA 95694

BUSINESS CLASSIFICATION: GENERAL PARTNERSHIP

Starting Date of Business: N/A /S/ VIOLETA BARAJAS CORONA If Corporation or LLC - Title of Officer Signing: I

Jesse Salinas County Clerk/Recorder State of California County of Yolo NOVEMBER 5, 12, 19, 26, 2025 #84950

FILED IN YOLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE Jesse Salinas Yolo County Clerk/Recorder F20250895 10/22/2025

Business is located

BUSINESS CLASSIFICATION: INDIVIDUAL Starting Date of Business: N/A

JOSEFINA INIGUEZ

they evolved with precipitation falling throughout the year and more than our average 19 inches. Here is an article for a deeper dive into irrigation for landscape trees: https:// ucanr.edu/site/center-landscape-urban-horticulture/estimating-tree-water-requirements. — Have a gardening question? Send it to jmbaumbach@ucanr.edu, with “Ask MGs” in the subject line. Include as much detail as possible and pictures if you have them.

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Send your notice and contact information to

Express Yourself

End of the year maintenance

When the weather turns cold, I always think about changing my heating and air filters, cleaning the gutters and doing general maintenance around the house and office. Actually doing the maintenance doesn’t always happen as quickly as I would like.

The same is true for the city of Winters.

“Knowing how to pour concrete or lay bricks is a good skill to have, and it is something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.”

I noticed that they had someone shave down the sidewalks in the downtown area to keep people from tripping. The maintenance work on our sidewalks came about the same time that I read an article about the city of Davis paying millions of dollars to one person who tripped on one of their sidewalks.

Sidewalk repair is a permanent problem, as anyone who walks a lot can see for themselves. Some cities bill the homeowners, or business owners, for sidewalk repair and maintenance. I don’t think the city of Winters bills anyone, but maybe they should. Our sidewalks need help. Every summer, I

think about growing up in Winters and how almost everyone worked in agriculture, starting the end of May until school started in August. If you were working with apricots, you would start before school got out, and if you were working with prunes, you would still be working when school started again in August.

Because of the overregulation of child labor laws, it is hard to employ people under 18 years old if there is any type of equipment is involved. I don’t think laying cement would count as equipment, and I’ve made this suggestion before,

but wouldn’t it be nice if the city and schools got together and had a job training program to teach students how to pour concrete?

Pouring concrete isn’t that hard (pun intended). There is a joke about pouring concrete; when the job is finished, the concrete is always hard and gray. Knowing how to pour concrete or lay bricks is a good skill to have, and it is something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

If the answer is that we don’t have the money, then where does the money come from to pay for the lawsuits when people trip and hurt themselves on our broken sidewalks?

Walk carefully and have a great Thanksgiving.

Hiring students would be a win-win for both the city and students. They could learn a trade, and the city could get its sidewalks, curbs and gutters repaired. Looking at the shape of our sidewalks, we could hire a lot of kids. A couple of questions would need to be answered. Who would supervise the students, and where would the money come from to pay for the concrete and employ the students?

The heart of success in school, work and life

Building

success through communication, collaboration

By Carrie Green Winters Joint Unified School District Trustee

After serving on the Winters Joint Unified School District Board for more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of watching countless students grow from curious kindergarteners to confident graduates.

One thing that has remained constant over the years is our district’s commitment to preparing students not just for tests or grades, but for life.

As we further our work to redefine

what success means in Winters, we have begun to implement the skills identified in our Graduate Profile as part of our everyday work in our classrooms and in our community. Through our Graduate Profile, we direct our focus on important skills that will extend far beyond the classroom — skills like communication and collaboration — that help to prepare our students to thrive in their careers, community, and personal relationships. In today’s world, success depends as much on how well we work with others as it

does on what we know. Employers consistently tell us that communication and collaboration are among the most valuable qualities they look for in the workplace. These same skills are equally essential in life — whether serving on a board, participating in community discussions, or volunteering for a local cause. Winters students are learning these skills beginning with their earliest educational experiences through to the culmination of their time in our schools so they can carry them into every part of their lives.

“ Together we are ensuring that collaboration and communication aren’t just things we teach, but things that are woven into who we are as a community that values education.”

In Winters, we are fortunate to live in a community that shares this same commitment. Together we are ensuring that collaboration and communication aren’t just things we teach, but things that are woven into who we are as a community that values education. Whether it’s local businesses that offer internships, mentors who guide students through career exploration, or parents and volunteers who show up time and again to

support school events, our collective spirit reminds our students that success is not achieved alone — it’s built through connection, cooperation, and care.

With our Graduate Profile as our guide, we have embarked upon the journey to redefine what success looks like for our students. We are working together — staff, students and community — to transform teaching and learning so that we move from

valuing what can easily be measured to measuring what we value most. When our graduates walk across the stage, we want them to take with them more than a diploma. We want them to carry the confidence to express themselves clearly, the ability to listen respectfully, and the willingness to work alongside others toward a shared purpose. These are the qualities that make strong employees, responsible citizens, and compassionate neighbors.

—The Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent are writing this column to share insights on preparing students for success in college, career and life.

California’s rural youth struggle alone with mental health

Turning empathy into action and building hope through connection

By Alonzia Quinn Special to CalMatters

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters.

Imagine a high school student in rural California, struggling with a mental issue for weeks with no one to talk to. The nearest therapist is hours away, the youth’s family can’t spare the time or gas and even if they could get there, the next available appointment isn’t for months.

It’s likely the student will keep showing up to school, pretending everything’s fine.

Now imagine a trained classmate they could talk to after class — someone who could listen, really understand and help them find support.

In rural America, young people face some of the most alarming mental

health challenges in the nation, with rates of depression, anxiety and suicide far outpacing those of their urban peers. Suicide rates among rural adolescents and young adults are nearly 50 percent higher than those in suburban or urban areas. California is not an exception to this trend.

Limited insurance coverage and severe shortages of mental health professionals only deepen the crisis. About two-thirds of rural counties lack a psychiatrist, 8 in 10 lack a psychiatric nurse practitioner and nearly half lack a psychologist, experts say.

States have tried bridging the gap through telehealth, but systems connecting patients with caregivers online fall short when about 30 percent of rural households lack reliable internet.

And while artificial intelligence has been proposed to promote access to help, its impact remains limited in rural areas where

technological barriers persist. Besides, no algorithm can replace the empathy and trust that come from a human connection.

For rural students, getting help can feel nearly impossible.

A “quick trip” to the doctor might mean driving 50 to 100 miles — if a provider is available. Distance and other barriers lead to missed appointments, inconsistent treatment and worsening symptoms.

Gov. Gavin Newsom should support legislation ensuring every rural high school offers access to mental health peer support programs. State Sen. Susan Rubio, a Democrat from West Covina who this year introduced mental health education legislation, is well positioned to lead the effort.

My own journey into youth mental health advocacy began with a similar goal: helping students feel supported and comfortable reaching out.

I grew up in Iowa, where care was limited and stigma ran deeper than our corn fields.

On the Waterloo

Youth City Council, I spent two years working to change that. Our biggest win came with a bill requiring schools to print crisis hotline information on student ID cards. When the bill passed the Iowa House, it felt like a victory not just for policy, but for every student who might see that number in a moment of crisis and decide to reach out. California recently took a similar step, requiring that schools

tion — a peer who understands.

Leave no student behind

Peer support programs train students to bolster one another, offering empathy, connection and a first point of contact for those who might otherwise struggle in silence. In structured elective classes with teacher oversight and clinical guidance, peer supporters learn to listen, document

“ In structured elective classes with teacher oversight and clinical guidance, peer supporters learn to listen, document responsibly and know when to refer someone to a professional.”

add the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to student IDs. It’s meaningful, but awareness alone isn’t enough. Knowing where to turn doesn’t always make it easier to ask for help.

Sometimes what students need most is a face-to-face connec-

responsibly and know when to refer someone to a professional.

Several California high schools have piloted this model, but many rural schools have been left out. With funding available through the Behavioral Health Services Act — a 1 percent

tax on incomes over $1 million — California has the opportunity to expand these programs and ensure rural students aren’t left behind.

Some may worry that focusing on rural schools leaves urban students behind, but rural students face the steepest barriers, often attending school without a single counselor or psychologist. This legislation isn’t about playing favorites; it’s about closing an equity gap.

Now imagine that student in rural California — the one silently struggling — finally having someone to turn to right down the hall. That single connection can turn isolation into hope. Young people want support that feels genuine, relatable and free of stigma. Peer programs can make reaching out less intimidating and more human. If California truly wants to meet the mental health needs of its youth, it must ensure no student faces the silence alone. —Alonzia Quinn is a senior at Stanford University studying political science.

Sports

Warriors punch ticket to section title game Nov. 26

By Sydney Andrade Express staff writer

The Winters High School varsity football team won the Northern Section CIF Division IV Semifinals against Durham High School with a final score of 35–22.

“We are very excited to be playing for the championship in front of our community and hope everyone will show up to support us. We are playing a very talented Hamilton team who is undefeated and always travels very well. It should be a great game,” said varsity head coach Daniel Ward.

The Trojans proved themselves to be tough competitors early on in the game, scoring the first touchdown and leaving fans a little on edge, but the Warriors fought to the end and came out victorious.

The Warriors had to depend on their passing game against Durham, but managed to gain substantial yardage on the ground. Quarterback Lane Brown led the Warriors in rushing yards with 191 yards earned for the Warriors and four touchdowns. Ricky Garcia earned 44 all-purpose yards, combining 35 on the ground with nine in the air and one touchdown. EJ Cruz chipped in 28 rushing yards, while MacGuire Plitt added 18.

Looking at the passing game, Luke Felsen led all receivers with 170 yards earned for the Warriors, making a huge impact on their final score. Brown seemed to be looking for Felsen all night, relying on his hands to receive the ball in the most critical moments. Anthony Matamoros Mayes contributed 57 receiving yards while Joe Haw-

kins posted 31 all-purpose yards to round out the effort. With multiple players stepping up in key moments, the Warriors’ standout offensive performance proved too much for their opponent.

“I felt like we played great on offense besides one turnover... we scored on every drive. Lane may have had the greatest single game in the history of Winters High School with over 470 yards of offense and 4 rushing touchdowns, and we needed every one of those yards,” said Ward. Defensively, the Warriors also

did their part in the game, holding the strong and fast Trojan offense back just enough to maintain the advantage. Jayden Blackburn led the defensive team with 11 tackles, 8 of them solo and a pair of tackles for loss. He was relentless in pursuit and consistently disrupted the opposing backfield.

Cruz and Aidan Baylor also put in a strong effort with eight total tackles. Baylor made a game-changing interception deep into the fourth quarter, preventing a Durham touchdown. Keeping the defensive pressure steady, Garcia and Jake

“I

am hoping that all of the adversity that we have dealt with and close games that we have had this season make us even more prepared for this week’s championship game.”

Daniel Ward, coach

Woods contributed seven tackles. Isaiah Redmond and Mark Gano also each delivered key tackles for loss, helping the Warriors control the line of scrimmage. With multiple players swarming to the ball and strong individual efforts across the board, the Winters defense proved crucial in sealing the victory.

“I was proud of the kids. I didn’t think we played well on defense, but they did not panic, made some great adjustments, and made some big plays when we had to. I am hoping that all of the adversity that we have dealt with and close games that we have had this season make us even more prepared for this week’s championship game,” said Ward.

The Warriors will face Hamilton for the section Championship title on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Dr. Seller Football Field and the home field advantage. Kick off is at 7 p.m. Let’s pack the stands.

UC Davis edges Sac State 31–27 in Causeway Classic

With the small break until Winters High School winter sports (those being basketball, soccer and wrestling), I wanted to write about a local sports rivalry that just played against each other on Saturday, Nov. 22. That being the iconic rivalry between UC Davis and Sac State. The Aggies achieved a 31–27 victory against the Hornets in back-to-back-toback Causeway Classic victories for UC Davis.

For those who are unaware of what the Causeway Classic is, it’s the iconic rivalry between the UC Davis Aggies and the Sac State Hornets, which dates all the way back to 1954, when the first classic was played. The winner would

hoist a trophy made of cement taken from the Yolo Causeway, which is also how the rivalry got its name, as the Yolo Causeway is the connector between Davis and Sacramento.

In the first quarter of the game, the Aggies got the early lead with a 1-yard run by running back Jordan Fisher, to bring the score to 7–0. Later, Fisher would get another 2-yard run to add on another 7 points for UC Davis, making the score a quick 14–0 at the end of the quarter. Entering the sec-

ond quarter, Sac State tied up the game with 1-yard runs by running back Rodney Hammond Jr. and quarterback Cardell Williams, bringing the score to 14–14. Hunter Ridley gave the Aggies an extra 3 points with a 24-yard field goal to bring the score to 17–14 before the end of the half.

Entering the third quarter, Sac State scored as Hammond ran 40 yards for a Hornet’s touchdown, and with a failed point after touchdown, the score was brought to 20–17. Running back

Jamar Curtis scored another touchdown for a score of 27–17 before entering the fourth quarter.

Finally, entering the fourth quarter, the Aggies scored 2 touchdowns to take the lead. Quarterback Caden Pinnick threw a 3-yard pass to Fisher for a touchdown, plus a PAT from Hunter Ridley, to bring the score to 27–24. Later, wide receiver Samuel Gbatu Jr. received a 30-yard pass from Pinnick, plus one final PAT from Ridley, to achieve a final score of 31–27, in favor of the UC Davis Aggies.

Some individual stats for the Aggies include Pinnick, who made 306 passing yards, with a 24-of-30 completions per attempt.

Fisher and Kai Acia led in rushing, where Fisher had 16 carries and 48 yards, while Acia also had 48 yards, but only 9 carries.

For receiving, Gba-

tu Jr. had 127 receiving yards, with 7 receptions and a touchdown. Stacy Dobbins had 5 receptions and 69 receiving yards, and Fisher also had a receiving touchdown, with 2 receptions and 15 yards.

As for Sac State, Williams went 3-of-9 on completions per attempt, with 17 passing yards and an interception.

For rushing, Hammond Jr. had 22 carries and 140 yards, with 2 touchdowns. Curtis had 24 carries, 105 yards, and a touchdown, and Williams had 11 carries, 54 yards, and 1 touchdown as well.

Warriors schedule

Coming up for Winters High School sports, our varsity boys soccer team will play Rio Linda, Monterey Trail and more in the Golden State Invitational at Natomas High School. Both the girls and boys var-

sity soccer teams will also play Wheatland on Dec. 2 at home. The first girls junior varsity team has already put in two scrimmage games under their belt, with more planned. Basketball also starts next week on Dec. 2 with the boys junior varsity and varsity teams, and the girls varsity Warriors heading to St. Helena. The girls varsity team will play Woodland for our first home game on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. The varsity boys will follow with their first home game against Rio Vista on Dec. 4, as part of the Buck Bailey tournament, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Thank you and Go Warriors!

—Hawk Selleck is a senior at Winters High School. He’s a sports enthusiast and participates in the school band, and many other things on campus. He enjoys music, baseball, and track and field.

Arts & Entertainment

‘Greetings!’ delivers festive feuds, laughter and reflection

By Crystal Apilado Editor-in-Chief

Last weekend, the Winters Theatre Company brought Tom Dudzick’s “Greetings!” back to the stage — a show WTC last did in 2003. Director Jim Hewlett deserves a tip of the hat for reviving it. The play is over 30 years old, yet its heart — messages about acceptance, listening and cherishing those close to you — feels as fresh and necessary as ever. Hewlett guided his five-person cast through the chaos, mayhem and tender moments with such care, it was a joy to watch.

Though it’s set on Christmas Eve, with a tree and holiday cheer, “Greetings!” isn’t your typical holiday play. It’s really about family,

self-healing and learning to love yourself so you can love others — a situation one can find themselves in any time of the year.

The cast is five strong personalities, and the energy onstage makes you laugh, cringe and think.

At the center are

GOT AN EVENT?

Emily and Phil Gorski, played with warmth and nuance by Bernadette Mello and Trent Beeby. Phil can be cranky with Emily but shows a softer side with their youngest son, Mickey, wonderfully brought to life by Kenneth Matheson. Mickey, mostly non-verbal and full of delight for Christmas (and wrestling), steals every scene he’s in. Matheson’s performance deserves a standing ovation for the care and thought he brings to Mickey’s story.

The evening heats up when their older son Andy (Cody Svozil) arrives with his fiancée Randi Stein

(Cameron Toney). Randi, Jewish and an atheist, and Phil, bullheadedly Catholic, go head-to-head in a series of debates that are as hilarious as they are awkward. Toney and Beeby’s back-and-forths are electric — you’ll wish you had some popcorn because you can’t look away. Meanwhile, Mello and Svozil try to keep the peace, throwing in their own jabs and opinions, remind-

ing us that family love is messy, but real.

The Gorskis put the “fun” in dysfunctional, and what happens with Mickey will leave your head spinning. Without spoiling it, one of my favorite lines from Matheson’s Mickey was: “People do not change until they are ready to change. Some never do.” A simple line, but one that lingers — exactly what this play is about.

There’s still one weekend left to catch this lively, heartfelt production at the Winters Opera House. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 29, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Nov. 30. Tickets are available at winterstheatre.org or at the door. Don’t miss the chance to laugh, think, and be reminded of the joy and chaos of family.

The Christmas Jug Band returns to Winters Opera House Dec. 13

Special to the Express

Last weekend, the The purveyors of 100 percent acoustic seasonal skiffle, Santa-swing and jingle bell rockabilly are heading to Winters for a holiday performance Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle jugabilly! Known for their irreverence and merriment, the Christmas Jug Band is a motley crew of “jugabillians” and notable Bay Area musicians who, like many great American pioneers, got their start from “a Wild Turkey-inspired momentary lapse of sanity.”

The Christmas Jug Band performs a mix of acoustic skiffle, Santa-swing and jingle bell rockabilly during their annual

While the band’s humor is front and center, its members are some of the finest musicians in the Bay Area and beyond. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, this is an evening of fun, music and holiday cheer not to be missed. Presale tickets are $20; tickets at the door are $25. Purchase online at www.winterstheatre.org. For more information, email winterstheatre@ gmail.com.

Special to the Express Home for the weekend? Visit Winters and enjoy its charming small-town atmosphere.

The Winters Museum offers a look at local history with its current exhibit tracing the journey from Spain to Winters. You can also tour the Winters History Murals, created by local youth, or browse artwork at several businesses.

The Winters District Chamber of Commerce will host the Ugly Sweater Stroll from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. Expect holiday cheer, drink specials, music and plenty of laughs as participants hop between favorite local bars.

Shoppers can also skip the crowds and stay local. With Plaid Friday and Shop Small Saturday, there’s no need to leave town. Wear plaid Friday, Nov. 28, to show support for locally owned businesses and celebrate a calmer, community-focused alternative to Black Friday. Stay local this weekend

Alex Ramon "Magic" @ 7:30pm The Cabaret at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe

Cantos: FRIDAY JUMPOFF @ 9pm Legend Has It, 410 L St, Sacra‐mento

Mark Hummel @ 9:30pm The Saloon, 1232 Grant ave, San Francisco

Dj Sizzle @ 9:30pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

North Beach Farmers Marlet - Peter Lindman Duo with Felix Bannon @ 9am North Beach Farmers Market, 725 Greenwich St, San Francisco

Improv Classes at The Stage. Intro to Improv with Lumunous Linda, Cameron Park CA NEW DATES ADDED! @ 11:30am / $19

Intro to Improv Classes led by Lu‐minous Linda. New Classes Added. Two options for classes pick the one that's right for you. Only at The Stage at Burke Junc‐tion The Stage at Burke Junction, 3300 Coach Lane, Cameron Park. stageatburke@gmail.com

Holiday Party at Arch, with sketching at the Flower Market

@ 12:30pm SF Flower Market, 17th & Missis‐sippi, San Francisco

KRAMPUS PAGEANT 2025 @ 3pm / $10

The Sisters of Perpetual Indul‐gence & SF Krampus summon Holiday mischief with the Annual Krampus Pageant with spooky drag, devilish costumes, and live performances raise funds for LGBTQ+ youth El Rio, 3158 Mis‐sion Street, San Francisco. sisters @thesisters.org

Tantra Speed Date®Sacramento! Meet Singles

Speed Dating

@ 5:30pm / $45-$140

Join the speed dating revolution with a 94% connection rate! Meet singles & ignite connections through fun, chemistry-building games! Yoga Shala Sacramento, 2030 H Street, Sacramento. help@ tantrany.com

Tantra Speed Date® - San Francisco! Meet Singles Speed Dating

@ 5:30pm / $45-$150

Join the speed dating revolution with a 94% connection rate! Meet singles & ignite connections through fun, chemistry-building games! Yoga Studio, 1694 Union Street, San Francisco. help@ tantrany.com

Kat Robichaud @ 7pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

DJ Andy @ 7pm DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco

Chelsea Bearce: Comedy Allstars @ 9:30pm Punch Line Sacramento, 2100 Arden Way Ste 225, Sacramento

Santa Skivvies Run @ 11am / $40 Join our annual holiday fun run through the Castro! LOOKOUT, 3600 16th Street, San Francisco. eventinfo@sfaf.org, 415-487-3092

Art in Action: Wonderful Winter Creations

@ 1pm / $10 Bring the kids for a fun winterthemed workshop at the Pence! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialmedia@gmail.com, 530-758-3370

Patrick Garr: White Christmas @ 1:30pm Broadway At Music Circus, 1419 H St, Sacramento

Very Merry Sing A Long @ 5pm / $10-$25 Holiday choir concert and sing a long with Napa Valley High school choirs! Evans Auditorium, 2425 Jefferson Street, Napa. karla@ nvef.org, 707-200-1224

Shindigs, The Moondrops, Egress

@ 7pm The Faight Collective, 473A Haight St, San Francisco

Ellie James @ 7pm O'Reilly’s Pub, 1840 Haight St, San Francisco

Debbie Wileman: "Judy Garland" We Need A Little

Christmas @ 2pm

A.C.T.'s Geary Theater, 415 Geary St, San Fran‐cisco

Hot Buttered Rum: Nat Keefe Concert Carnival: Featuring Lebo, Elliott Peck, Audio Angel, Wally Ingram, and more! @ 7:30pm The Independent, 628 Divisadero St, San Francisco

Lakeside Laughs Comedy Club @ 8pm The Cabaret at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe

Strength & Balance Class @ 10:15am New �tness class for adults at the Woodland Community & Senior Center: Strength & Balance Wood‐land Community & Senior Center, 2001 East Street, Woodland. tina�t ness68@gmail.com

Children's Gymnastics Classes

@ 2pm Two types of gymnastics classes for children offered Wednesdays at the Davis Arts Center Davis Arts Center, 1919 F Street, Davis. du ankejie68@gmail.com

Children's Kung Fu Classes at the Davis Arts Center

@ 3:15pm Tina Fitness is now offering chil‐dren's Kung Fu classes at the Davis Arts Center! Davis Arts Cen‐ter, 1919 F Street, Davis. duanke jie68@gmail.com

ATREYU THE CURSE

TOUR

@ 6pm Ace of Spades, Sacramento

GamperDrums Presents: ZinggFlower @ 6:30pm Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St, San Francisco

Atreyu @ 7pm Ace of Spades, 1417 R Street, Sacra‐mento

Amelia Day @ 7pm Cafe Colonial, 3520 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento

Ben Folds @ 7:30pm SF Jazz Center - Miner Auditorium, 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco

Mario Presents: The Nothing But Us Tour 2025 @ 8pm August Hall, San Francisco

Die Hard @ 7pm Crest The‐ater, Sacra‐mento

Glixen @ 7pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento

Kat Edmonson @ 7pm The So�a, 2700 Capitol Ave, Sacramento

Patrick Garr: White Christmas @ 7:30pm Broadway At Music Circus, 1419 H St, Sacramento

Alex Ramon "Magic" @ 7:30pm The Cabaret at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe

DK: Danity Kane @ 8pm August Hall, San Francisco

Sunday Dec 7th

VOENA Concert: Voices Of Winter Lights @ 2pm / $35 St Peter's Chapel, 1181 Walnut Avenue, Vallejo. admin@ mihpf.org, 707-557-4646 Celebrate the holidays with this magical concert by VOENA Children’s Choir. They will present a full musical and visual experience of carols, ac‐companied by St. Peter Chapel’s own silver hand bells.

Wed 12/10

Body

tina�tness68@gmail.com

Children's Gymnastics Classes @ 2pm Two types of gymnastics classes for children offered Wednesdays at the Davis Arts Center Davis Arts Center, 1919 F Street, Davis. du ankejie68@gmail.com

Open Mic hosted by Marcus Mangham - in the Callback Bar

@ 6:30pm Punch Line Sacramento Callback Bar, Sacramento Madball @ 7pm Neck Of the Woods, 406 Clement St, San Francisco

Madball/ Initiate/ Bad World/ Stand Tall @ 7pm Neck of the Woods, San Francisco

Locals Night: A Hazy

Christmas Toys for Tots drive with Thru The Haze @ 7pm Blue Note Napa, Napa

Brian Kent @ 7pm Feinstein's at The Nikko, 222 Ma‐son St, San Francisco

La Sombra @ 7pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

GRRL

@ 7pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

Patrick Garr: White Christmas @ 7:30pm Broadway At Music Circus, 1419 H St, Sacramento

Alex Ramon "Magic"

@ 7:30pm The Cabaret at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe

Glare

@ 7:45pm Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco

Patrick Garr: White

Christmas

@ 1:30pm

Broadway At Music Circus, 1419 H St, Sacramento

Dos Bandoleros @ 7pm El Chato, 2301 Bryant St, San Fran‐cisco

Headphone

@ 7pm The Hotel Utah Saloon, 500 4th St, San Francisco

The Elevations Hawaii: Super Soul Extravaganza! @ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

Hot Laundry @ 8pm Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St, San Francisco

Rose City Band @ 8pm Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco

Healing Arts One-Time Workshop @ 10am / $10

Sign up now for our Healing Arts workshop on December 12! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pence socialmedia@gmail.com, 530-7583370

Maryann Steinert-Foley & Diane Williams: The Realm of Possibility @ 11:30am Dec 12th - Feb 1st

The Pence presents a new exhibit with sculptures by Maryann Stein‐ert-Foley & mixed media paintings by Diane Williams! Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis. pencesocialme dia@gmail.com, 530-758-3370 2nd Friday ArtAbout at the

An Evening with a Mentalist: Jay Alexander's Mind Tricks Live @ 6:30pm / $55 Dec 12th - Dec 14th Escape the ordinary and step into the San Francisco Magic Theater, where Mentalist Jay Alexander guides you through an evening of wonder. You’ll laugh, gasp, and leave with a story you’ll tell forever San Francisco Magic Theater (w/ Jay Alexander) at the Marrakech, 419 O'Farrell Street, San Fran‐

B Street Theatre to perform Epic Acoustic Classic Rock, as seen on his widely viewed YouTube channel. The So�a, Home of B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento. info@mikemasse.com

The Vocal Art Ensemble presents SKIES @ 7:30pm The Vocal Art Ensemble presents SKIES - vast * dynamic * luminous * serene 1620 Anderson Rd, 1620 Anderson Road, Davis. traciabarbieri@ gmail.com Hot In Herre: 2000's Dance Party @ 8pm Harlow's, 2708 J St, Sacramento Guidance @ 9:30pm The Great Northern, 119 Utah St, San Francisco Lakeside Laughs Comedy Club @ 9:30pm The Cabaret at Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe

sosicksosad: LAVERN 1015 Folsom - LeCrew Klub Room @ 10pm 1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom St, San Francisco

Santa’s Helpers Holiday Market @ 10am Dec 13th - Dec 14th Terri�c Shopping Awaits! Napa Valley Expo, 575 3rd Street, Napa. christylbeeman@comcast.net, 707-225-4911

Dollie & Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis Hotel @ 11am / $145 Dec 13th - Dec 14th

Introducing the annual whimsical and magical holiday Afternoon Tea Party for young children and their dolls at The Westin St. Francis. The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco. hello@ki tandsis.com, 408-455-9617

(y)OURS @ 4pm / $19 After decades of crossing paths from New York City to the Bay Area, three choreographers — Marcos Duran, Jenni Hong, and Elise Knudson — reunite to pre‐miere (y)OURS, a luminous evening of dance ODC Theater, 3153 17th Street, San Francisco. jennihong@me.com, 917-969-8717

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