The following is the July 15 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.
A little over a year ago, I bought a small, inflatable fishing boat with an electric trolling motor and named it after my dog (The Fearful Morty, in case you were wondering). It’s not exactly a seafaring vessel, but it’s gotten me out on the water at local lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
When I first got it, I figured I could just drop my boat in any body of water and motor off to catch, or (mostly) not catch, fish. I learned pretty quickly that there are plenty of rules and regulations meant to protect our local waterways, and it’s usually on the boat operator to ensure they are being followed.
That’s been even truer since invasive golden mussels appeared in California and water managers have tried to slow their spread by implementing inspections and quarantine periods on boat hulls and equipment. To this point, keeping golden mussels from hitching a ride to a new body of water has been one of the most effective tools at managing the emergency.
But now, a water district in Kern County may have found a new tool in the battle against the invasive species.
Also this week, I spent some time in a West Sacramento neighborhood where a house that once hosted a transitional housing program is being sold by the county after neighborhood pushback.
And education reporter Savannah Kuchar brings us an update from Los Rios Community College District, which will be asking voters to approve $1.1 billion in campus fixes in November.
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
Golden mussels are spreading fast. Water managers may have a new way to fight back
One Central Valley water district used copper treatments to kill mussels.
BY DANIEL HENNESSY | dhennessy@kvie.org
In short: After first being detected in 2024, invasive golden mussels have spread rapidly in California, recently reaching the Port of West Sacramento. So far, eradication efforts have been unsuccessful at stemming the tide, and water managers have leaned on prevention and education to keep the mollusks from spreading to new bodies of water.
A bit more: One water district in Kern County recently used a copper treatment to effectively kill golden mussels.
NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Yolo County to sell controversial West Sacramento property after neighborhood pushback
College district to ask Sacramento, Yolo voters for $1.1 billion in campus fixes
What is (and isn’t) happening with data centers in the Sacramento region
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?
Researchers at UC Davis recently released a study showing that wolves in California rely on cattle as a primary source of food. Researchers looked at two wolf packs in northern California, finding that 72% of sampled wolf scat contained cattle DNA.
A news release from UC Davis said that “wolves eat cattle more than anything else and the presence of the predators causes significant stress among livestock.”
Wolves were absent from the California landscape for a century before returning in 2011 and establishing what officials now believe are up to nine packs. Their only significant wild food source in California are mule deer, so they turn to feeding on livestock.
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, West Sacramento resident Nick Coleman told me about the newly revamped Westacre Park and its sturdy concrete skatepark.
“I always felt that West Sacramento needed a proper skatepark,” he said.
Back in the day, there used to be a drainage ditch in West Sacramento that was an iconic skate spot, Coleman said. But it was destroyed to make the offramp for Harbor Blvd., leaving skaters with fewer options.
Now they can go to Westacre Park without worrying about being bothered or kicked out of a spot. Not only that, but the concrete will also hold up to heavy use.
“It’s going to last some decades,” Coleman said.
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 Winters Shakespeare Workshop is presenting “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare at 8 p.m. July 17 and 18. The production will be held at the Winters City Park stage and admission is free. More information can be found here.
- The Mary L. Stephens Library in Davis is hosting an adult summer reading program at 6 p.m. July 16. The class will be taught by Fork in the Path: Forest to Table Learning and attendees will learn how to identify, harvest and prepare wild mushrooms. More information can be found here.
- The Esparto Regional Library is screening Project Hail Mary at 4 p.m. July 21. Free popcorn will be available for all attendees. More information can be found here.
- The Yolo County Fair will run from Aug. 7-9 and Aug. 12-16. This year’s theme is “Hog August Nights,” and, as always, entry is free. 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.
