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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 18, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom looking troubled in a file photo. Gov. Gavin Newsom looking troubled in a file photo.

State of the State? We'll See.

Happy Monday.

As you may know, Gov. Gavin Newsom will not be giving his State of the State address this afternoon, as had been planned. That’s because Proposition 1, his $6.4 billion bond aimed at helping unhoused, mentally ill Californians get into shelter and treatment, is too close to call. 

Late last week, the governor's national PAC, Campaign for Democracy, sent an urgent request asking supporters to contact Democrats who have had faulty ballots rejected, and encourage them to get them fixed. This is a little-known maneuver known as a “cure,” which allows voters to correct ballots that have been rejected because of missing signatures or other errors after election day. (You can find out if your ballot was counted by following this link to the state’s Ballottrax service.)


Unhoused Individuals and Mental Health

Prop 1 is narrowly ahead as of Sunday night, and its opponents have conceded the race. Nevertheless, opposition from civil liberties groups and advocates for the mentally ill may have (almost?) derailed the measure.


Newsom’s Prop 1: Revolution or Return to Reason?

An assembly hall at Agnews Developmental Center in Santa Clara. Agnews was one of five hospitals that served California residents with developmental disabilities and mental illness, all of which were emptied in the misguided move toward “community care."
Prop 1 was designed to help unhoused people get off the streets by forcing them into treatment. That’s one reason it took two weeks of vote-counting to pass.

California's CARE Court System: Mental Health & Homelessness

Clinicians will have two weeks to decide whether a mentally ill person qualifies for the CARE Court system.
California’s CARE Court system, which compels treatment for people with severe mental illness, was launched in October 2023 despite efforts by civil liberties groups to stop it.

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Winter! cookbook.


Crispy potatoes deserve Green Goddess dressing

The cutest little new potatoes are destined to be paired with the herbs at left: parsley, chives and dill.
NEW Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this delicious side dish


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Yolo County's Homepage

Our overview page for Yolo County is updated daily with the latest state and local news, weather alerts, local government announcements and local blog posts and news snippets from community groups and individuals.
Direct your browser to yolo.californialocal.com to catch up on the latest news in California and Yolo County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Get to Know a Group

Big Brothers Big Sisters logo Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.

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From Our Media Allies

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West Sacramento News Ledger logo Regional Business Broadband Master Plan

Valley Vision has received grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to create a roadmap for areas in Sacramento, Sutter, Yuba, and Yolo counties.

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Recent Local News

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• Applications Open for Yolo County Community Services Action Board

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is seeking to fill openings on its Community Services Action Board, with the stated mission "to combat poverty by promoting the health, safety, stability, and self-sufficiency of low-income persons residing in Yolo County. "

(03/18/2024) → Davis Enterprise

• Additional Funds For Completed Project?

Though completed and opened in February, city staff are requesting an additional $185,000 for the Highway 113 Sports Parks Pedestrian Overcrossing..

(03/17/2024) → Daily Democrat

• Woodland City Council Updating Active Transportation Plan

Woodland is updating its 2002 bike plan to prioritize safe pedestrian and bicycle use of the city road network following resident input.

(03/17/2024) → Daily Democrat

• Upcoming Yolo County Road Rehabilitation Projects

2024 road rehabilitation work scheduled for April-July will focus on downtown Esparto and county roads, including sections of County Road 23, CR 24, and CR 96.

(03/16/2024) → Daily Democrat
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Recent Statewide News

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• California Speeds Plans to Empty San Quentin's Death Row

California prison officials announced they will move the last 457 condemned prisoners out of San Quentin's death row by summer. They will be transferred to other state prisons and housed in the general population.

(03/18/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Alan G. Sieroty, Former State Senator Who Helped Create the Coastal Commission, Dies at 93

Sieroty, of Beverly Hills, served as a state Assembly member and senator, championing disability rights and efforts to protect California's coast.

(03/17/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• California Unlikely to Meet Landmark Goals for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

California will miss its goals unless it can increase emission reductions threefold, according to a new study.

(03/15/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Q&A: How the 50-Year-Old Case That Transformed English Learner Education Began

An interview with Lucinda Lee Katz, the first grade teacher of the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Lau vs. Nichols.

(03/14/2024) → EdSource
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (03/16/2024)

Wenders LLC Recalls Trader Joes Nuts - 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews Because of Possible Health Risk

Wenders LLC of Dublin, CA is recalling specific production lots of Trader Joes Nuts - 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews - (SKU Number - 37884) Lot# T12139, T12140, T12141, and T12142 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious
Image of City of Woodland seal. City of Woodland   (03/15/2024)

City Invites Woodlanders to Serve on Boards, Commissions, & Committees

Terms begin July 1, 2024
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/14/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd Comments on Insurance Commissioner’s Proposed Regulations

Thursday, March 14, 2024SACRAMENTO -- Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today regarding Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Laras proposed catastrophic modeling regulations to address Californias insurance crisis: Ensuring the availability and affordability of insurance takes a multipronged approach, and these proposed regulations are a piece of the puzzle, Sen. Dodd said. Theres much to do to stabilize the market, …
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/13/2024)

Kick Ash Products Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Product

Kick Ash Products of Ellison Bay, WI is recalling Door County Love Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola with Lot #061241, because it may contain undeclared ALMONDS. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/13/2024)

Taylor Farms Pacific Recalls Kroger Brand Ready-To-Eat Apple Walnut With Chicken Salad Bowl Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2024 - Taylor Farms Pacific, a Tracy, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 19,976 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) apple walnut with chicken salad bowl products due to misbranding...
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/13/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd: Get Free Tax Help, Credits

Wednesday, March 13, 2024SACRAMENTO With this years April 15 tax filing deadline approaching, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, reminds taxpayers of two key benefits they may take advantage of to ensure they get back any money they earned: Free preparation assistance is available from Californias Franchise Tax Boards Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and a Tax Counseling for the Elderly program …
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/12/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd: A. Marie Young is Solano County Woman of the Year

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 VALLEJO A. Marie Young, a longtime Solano Community College board member and mathematics professor who broke barriers in the 1970s as the first African American woman to teach an academic course full-time at the college, has been selected Solano County Woman of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa. Marie has given the gift of education …
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/11/2024)

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Coconut and Milk in Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews 8.25 Oz

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc (JBSS) announced today it is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of 8.25 oz Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews, because it may contain undeclared coconut and milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to coconut or milk run the risk of serious or life-thre
Image of City of Woodland seal. City of Woodland   (03/11/2024)

REXPO & Senior Art Show this Friday, March 15 from 4 – 7 PM

Discover recreational activities and check out artwork by local artists
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/11/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd: March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Monday, March 11, 2024SACRAMENTO Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, has introduced a resolution designating March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in an effort to bring attention to an addiction affecting more than a million Californians and connect people with treatment. For anyone struggling with addiction -- and that includes those facing gambling problems -- awareness and access to services are critical, …