The following is the Aug. 12 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.
I’ve spent a lot of time on the Yolo Causeway.
During trips over the bypass, probably numbering in the hundreds, I’ve seen that particular stretch of Interstate 80 in all of its forms.
On good days, it’s a beautiful drive. In the winter, flocks of migrating birds swoop overhead, filling the skies above the bypass’s open space. As the year progresses, water from the Sacramento River floods and recedes, providing a rhythm to the passing months not unlike leaves on a maple tree.
But when traffic is bad, the drive can be miserable.
With restricted lanes, no shoulders and ongoing construction, the Yolo Causeway is one of the most congested stretches of highway in the region.
Caltrans says most of the construction on its multimillion-dollar lane widening project is finishing soon and that it will help relieve traffic. But some experts disagree, arguing that adding a new lane only incentivizes more driving.
Also, Woodland is sticking with its controversial Flock cameras despite some community opposition.
And from our friends at CalMatters, almost nowhere in California is building enough housing, with few exceptions. One is unincorporated Yolo County.
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
Yolo Causeway construction is almost done after 7 years. Was it worth it?
The major construction project may end later this year, according to Caltrans.
BY DANIEL HENNESSY | dhennessy@kvie.org
In short: Caltrans said it is nearing completion on a major construction project on Interstate 80 in Yolo County. The project, which has constrained traffic through Davis and on the Yolo Causeway, will add a bus and carpool lane. Caltrans officials said they aim to have all lanes open by the fall.
A bit more: The goal of the project is to reduce congestion in a notoriously traffic-filled section of freeway, but some experts question whether adding lanes accomplishes that goal in the long term.
NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Woodland stays with Flock cameras amid local opposition and privacy concerns
Almost nowhere in California is building enough, according to the state. Here’s why
New Los Rios leader backs $1.1 billion tax for Sacramento-area community colleges
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, David Cristler, a farm manager in Yolo County, is keeping us in the loop.
🌽As the summer harvest transitions to fall harvest, corn is just about ready, along with sunflowers. Safflower is wrapping up now.
🌻Most of the sunflowers that David harvests are used for oil, though the market continues to struggle because of the war in Ukraine.
🌾Rice harvesters are being stripped down in shops and prepared for the fall harvest.
🍇Some grapes are being harvested, along with almonds and other tree crops, marking a sure sign of the coming fall season.
HEARING FROM YOU
This week, the organizers of the Yolo County Fair reached out with good news about the weather going into the weekend. Temperatures will stay in the 80s and 90s for most of the second weekend, 10 or 20 degrees cooler than it was last weekend.
“This is the kind of weather fairgoers dream about,” said Yolo County Fair CEO Sarah Pelle.
I’ll be there Friday!
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.
- Part two of the Yolo County Fair starts today and lasts through Aug. 16. Admission is free, but certain extra events require paid tickets. More information can be found here.
- The League of Women Voters of Yolo County is seeking nominations for its annual Democracy Works Award. “The actions of nominees may include encouraging equal representation, promoting free and fair elections, expanding voter education and rights, advocating legislation that promotes democracy and our communities, or taking grassroots political action,” the news release said. Nominees are due by Sept. 1 and can be submitted here.
- The Classic Car and Truck Show hosted by the Friends of the Yolo Branch Library will happen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 22. More than 100 classic cars and trucks will be on display at the Yolo Branch Library, along with fire trucks, tractors and engines. More information can be found here.
- The Arthur F. Turner Community Library is holding a student library card design contest for the Washington Unified School District. Designs for the upcoming school year must be submitted by Aug. 17. 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.
See you on the causeway,
