The following is the April 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.
I’ve had jobs in the past where I felt like I was just hanging out at a desk. Afternoon would hit, I’d have nothing to do, and I’d find myself wandering around the office or staring at a wall for extended periods of time.
I’m glad to say that this job isn’t like that. Most days fly by, and the weeks (this one included!) are usually plenty busy. If I want to stare at a wall these days, I have to set aside time on weekends to do it.
I like it better this way.
This week, we head to Woodland, where leaders are revisiting a sales tax increase to address an ongoing budget deficit.
Also, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors discussed whether to implement a local ban on the already illegal (but widely available) opioid-like substance called kratom.
Finally, we have an update on the indictments related to the deadly fireworks blast in Esparto, as well as details on the temporary closure of Yolo County’s well known “graffiti bridge.”
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
Woodland leaders consider sales tax hike in another tough budget year
Ultimately, the council would need voters to OK the plan.
BY DANIEL HENNESSY | dhennessy@kvie.org
In short: Woodland is facing a $4.6 million deficit in the next fiscal year, a number that staff predicts will continue growing year after year. To help remedy the situation, the city council gave its OK to a plan that would bring a 1 cent sales tax increase to the ballot in November.
A bit more: The council also directed staff to come up with options for around $460,000 worth of reductions for this fiscal year.
NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Yolo County considers its own crackdown on sales of an illegal, opioid-like substance
Esparto fireworks blast indictment alleges a decade-long conspiracy in Yolo County
Yolo County’s landmark ‘graffiti bridge’ to close as it gets long-awaited upgrades
Thank you for reading Abridged. We are here and our stories are free because people like you donate to PBS KVIE to keep our Yolo County strong. Join in — start donating at $10/month to keep it coming.
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, Annie and Alison Main in Hungry Hollow are keeping us in the loop:
- Spring is the season of new possibilities at Annie and Alison’s farm, and they are hard at work planting new crops.
- As they plant, Annie and Alison are thinking ahead to summer harvest. They are mapping out settings and planting days from now until Aug. 15.
- The early heat spell affected pretty much everything on the farm, but the flower harvest most of all. Usually, the flowers peak by Mother’s Day, but ranunculus and anemones are already harvested for the year.
- The flower plants developed fast, so they are a little smaller than usual and produce fewer flowers. The spring flower harvest is an important source of income for Annie and Alison because it provides a bridge between other harvests.
- Apricot production is also a couple of weeks ahead of schedule thanks to the heat.
- Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant are in the ground three weeks early this year, so there is some chance Annie and Alison can do a fourth round of planting.
- Annie and Alison are looking ahead to a long summer harvest, but they need to remain flexible and read the season’s conditions as they continue to develop.
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 or ask a question about Yolo County!
Last week, we had a question about cooling centers in Yolo County. This week, Pamela Bateman answered the call.
| “On the subject of cooling centers – Here in Guinda … the local fire station is open and available to the public. I don’t know if it is available every day but during a heat spell I believe they are open to assist the public. Of course, (Vernon) Nichols Park in Guinda is open every day with access to Cache Creek to cool off. A large area under the bridge is shaded. And of course, the casino in Brooks is open for adults. I hope this helps.”
Thank you, Pamela!
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND 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.
- Noor Community Health, “a student-run organization at UC Davis dedicated to providing free healthcare services and education to underserved communities in Woodland, CA,” is organizing a free women’s health clinic event on April 24. The event will be at the Islamic Center of Woodland from 1 to 3 p.m. and includes “cancer screening information, vitals check, breast cancer and menopause education and a one on one consultation with a board certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist.” More information can be found here.
- National Library Week is next week, and the Yolo County Library is celebrating by offering a chance to win library-themed prizes. Participants can pick up an “I Love My Library” coloring sheet from their local branch and return it to enter through April 25.
- Pamela Trokanski Dance Theatre in Davis is offering free Dance for Parkinson’s classes through the spring. They provide “free movement classes for people living with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers, in both Davis and Sacramento.” Interested people should reach out to office@trokanski.com.
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 next week!
Daniel Hennessy joins Abridged from the California Local News Fellowship. He’s a reporter covering Yolo County.