The following is the July 8 edition of the Abridged by PBS KVIE Yolo County email newsletter, by reporter Daniel Hennessy and the team at Yolo Local. Want it sent directly to your inbox? Sign up here.
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Hey, it’s Daniel! Let’s dive in.
When I was a kid, demolition derbies loomed large in my mind. My parents, always supportive of my dreams, dug up a section of their backyard so that I could crash my toy monster trucks into each other while kicking up dirt and mud.
As the years went on, other interests emerged and derbies faded into the background. But it turns out my childhood interest never went away.
I’m more than a little excited about attending my first real demolition derby at the Yolo County Fair next month. It’s a long running tradition that has become a mainstay at the summertime fair.
Leaders announced that the fair will run a bit longer this year, from Aug. 7-16, and debut new events, including chihuahua and corgi racing.
Dreams really do come true.
Also this week, Davis approved a controversial plan to impose new fees at three free parking lots downtown.
And a dreaded underwater pest has made its way to the Port of West Sacramento.
We’ve teamed up with Yolo Local, a civic media initiative of Davis Media Access, to bring you this weekly newsletter. Here’s what you need to know today:
STORY OF THE WEEK
City leaders clear way to charge for parking in several free downtown Davis lots
The dollar-an-hour fees may increase while other lots remain free.
BY DANIEL HENNESSY | dhennessy@kvie.org
In short: The city of Davis will impose new fees on three downtown parking lots. The North F Street, South G Street and Amtrak Train Depot lots will all transition from free to $1 per hour as soon as 60 days from now.
A bit more: City officials will study occupancy in the lots and return with an updated fee recommendation in nine months.
NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Golden mussels spread to West Sacramento as Yolo County weighs emergency order
Federal cuts hit UC Davis hard, causing ‘unstable environment’ for research and programs
California schools must follow new cellphone, bathroom and safety laws
DISPATCHES FROM THE FARM
Agriculture is a central part of life in Yolo County, so I’ll be checking in each week with a farmer, rancher or other industry player for the latest ag updates. What are the people who help produce our food thinking about?
This week, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District announced that it detected West Nile virus in a mosquito from Madison. That makes three total detections in the county so far this year. None have been in a human.
Officials perform ground treatments in areas where positive mosquitos have been found, but they also ask residents to practice the “District D’s,” which include draining standing water, avoid being outside at dawn and dusk, dress in long sleeves and pants, defend by using insect repellent, door and window screens and district personnel are available to help.
HEARING FROM YOU
The best way to learn about a place is to listen to the people who know and love it. Each week, we’ll feature a quote or tip from a community member that captures a slice of life in our county. Write to me with something interesting, ask a question about Yolo County or tell me where I need to go next!
This week, Chad Roberts sent me a link to a recently published photo archive that includes images of the last year of Monticello, the town that was flooded to make Lake Berryessa.
The town was a small agricultural community that neighbored Yolo County, and legendary photographers Dorothea Lange and Pirkle Jones spent some time there before it was inundated.
As Chad put it, “Not exactly a Yolo County story, and not actually a suggestion for a future column, but you should know about this bit of local history, made available by UCSC recently.”
Thank you for the suggestion, Chad!
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
It can be hard to keep up with local government and community events, so we’ll continuously feature a few below. Have something you think we should highlight? Email me.
- The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Education are having their monthly CA Farm to School Network monthly call at 2 p.m. July 30. The calls are meant to gather stakeholders and experts with the goal of expanding the farm to school movement. More information can be found here.
- Dirt Bikes and ATVs, Oh My! is happening at the Yolo Branch Library at 2 p.m. July 14. Intended for kids 4 to 8 years old, the event will be led by a California State Parks interpreter and include story time, activity stations and remote control course. More information can be found here.
- Free dental services for youth will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon July 25 at the West Sacramento back-to-school fair at River City High School. Registration is required attendees up to 20 years old. More information can be found here.
Want to discover more events across the Sacramento region, in Yolo County and beyond? Check out Abridged by PBS KVIE’s new searchable events calendar with things to do across the four-county area.
BEFORE I GO,
Thanks for coming back (and signing up) for this newsletter. Remember: I’m accountable to you. If you read a story and think there’s an angle I’m missing, I want to hear about it! Please reach out with your feedback and know that I take it seriously.
Daniel Hennessy is a reporter covering Yolo County for Abridged by PBS KVIE. He joined Abridged through the California Local News Fellowship.