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By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 01, 2024

Prop 1 includes funding that will build institutions to treat mental illness and addiction—hopefully nothing like what Randle Patrick McMurphy encountered in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.' Prop 1 includes funding that will build institutions to treat mental illness and addiction—hopefully nothing like what Randle Patrick McMurphy encountered in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.'

Sandhill Cranes, Foster Kids, and Coercive Compassion

This week’s Newsletter takes me back to the very beginnings of my journalism career in California, and then jumps forward to a story I wrote last week. One story offers what might be a surprising perspective on the recently passed Proposition 1, and the other is about an organization working to help young people forced to navigate our complicated court systems through no fault of their own.

The stories are connected because they both deal with the consequences of untreated mental illness and addiction disorders.

But first: I am writing this on Easter Sunday, and as is traditional in my family, I am thinking about resurrection, renewal, and that kind of stuff. In that spirit, here is the second edition of One Good Thing.


Life After Death

Sandhill Cranes are magical creatures. In the marshes where they hunt with their spear-beaks, they stand four to five feet tall. Their wings can span six and a half feet. Their trumpeting calls and mating dances are hypnotic. By the middle of the 20th century they had been slaughtered to near-extinction. But they're back.


The Return of Sandhill Cranes

A magnificent Sandhill Crane in flight.
After being reduced to three or four nesting pairs in all of California in 1944, Sandhill Cranes have come back from the brink and are returning to Lake Tahoe.

Coercive Compassion

My position on Prop 1, and my thoughts about the benign neglect of our homeless neighbors suffering from mental illness or addiction disorders, are informed by a story I edited the week I returned to California, in March of 1997. That article was about the impending closure of a state hospital that treated Californians with developmental disabilities or severe mental illness. At the time, as you will see, many questioned the wisdom of emptying the hospitals and sending patients to live in halfway houses—which, as it turned out, were never adequately funded.

I understand if you are among those who struggle with the idea of coercive care, and I want to share a quote from Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), a supporter of Prop 1 who is also a PhD-packing clinical social worker.

“There is nothing compassionate about leaving suffering human beings on the street untreated or waiting until they have committed a crime and treating them in prison; rather than intervening to get them the help they desperately need.”


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.

Helping Young People Whose Parents Are Struggling

The very best thing about doing community journalism is that I get to help some remarkable people tell their inspiring stories. That happened last week when I met Danielle Dace and Matthew Romsa. CASA Sacramento is the only organization in the region that offers help to kids who have been removed from their parents care due to neglact or abuse. Often, the grownups involved are stuggling with addiction, and the families can be reuinted once they've gotten treatment. That has become increasingly difficult, so the need for help is great. 

There are CASAs in most California counties, and you can find them under Families and Children in our Community Groups and Nonprofits database.


A Court Appointed Special Advocate Can Change a Child’s Life

Danielle Dace and Matthew Romsa of CASA Sacramento
A conversation with two committed professionals who help CASA Sacramento match trained volunteers with children in the foster care system.

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 Spring! cookbook.


This springtime carrot cake has a difference

Carrots and chocolate -- how perfect for Easter or any other spring occasion.
NEW Chocolate glaze especially appropriate for a holiday dessert


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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 City of West Sacramento Approves Study Contract for Enterprise Bridge Project

The City of West Sacramento has taken a significant step forward in enhancing economic growth and mobility in the region.

San Jose Inside logo California Extends Student Financial Aid Deadline to May 2

Responding to a federal financial aid glitch, Caliifornia legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom within two weeks gave students an additional month to apply for state aid.

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Recent Local News

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• Resurfacing Work Scheduled at County Road 24 and 97 Intersection

Road resurfacing is scheduled for the intersection of County Road 24 and 97 in Yolo County April 2 through April 9 8AM - 4PM. Delays are expected and alternative routes advised on those dates.

(03/29/2024) → Daily Democrat

• Congressman Mike Thompson Secures Funds for Walnut Park Library Project

Congressman Mike Thompson, D-Yolo, secured $850K in federal funds from the last appropriations bill to help finance the new Walnut Park Library project in the City of Davis.

(03/29/2024) → Daily Democrat

• Woodland City Council Approves Budget Adjustments

The Woodland City Council reviewed and approved a mid-year budget adjustment of $5.2M following a report by staff during the March 26 council meeting.

(03/29/2024) → Daily Democrat

• Construction of El Rio Villas Playground Approved

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved the construction a new playground in the El Rio Villa Housing Community outside of the city of Winters during their March 12 meeting.

(03/28/2024) → Winters Express

• Groundbreaking For Knights Landing Park

A groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for April 9 signals the start of construction of the Knights Landing Community Park.

(03/28/2024) → Davis Enterprise

• Yolo County March 5 Election Results Certified

The March 5 election results were officially certified on Friday, March 22, and sccepted by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors during their March 26 meeting.

(03/28/2024) → Davis Enterprise

• Congressman Thompson Secures Transportation Funds

Congressman Mike Thompson, D-Yolo, secured $1.05M in federal funds for the Interstate 5/State Route113 Connectors Project in Woodland.

(03/27/2024) → Daily Democrat

• Former State Controller Betty Yee Announces Campaign for California Governor

If elected, Yee would be the first woman to become California's governor. She is a San Francisco native born to Chinese immigrant parents. Yee, who currently serves as vice chair of the California Democratic Party, says she wants to tackle affordability, bring transparency to Sacramento and address the climate crisis.

(03/27/2024) → CapPublicRadio

• Teacher of the Week: Science and Technology Academy's Nani Wall

Meet the Daily Democrat's Teacher of the Week, Nani Wall of the Science and Technology Academy in Knights Landing.

(03/26/2024) → Daily Democrat

• You Might Spot a Mountain Lion in California, but Attacks Like the One That Killed a Man Are Rare

If hikers, bikers, campers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts haven't encountered a mountain lion while in the California wilderness, they might know somebody who has.

(03/26/2024) → CapPublicRadio

• Yolo Community Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline April 5

Yolo County student applications for Yolo Community Foundation scholarships of up to $10,000 are due by April 5.

(03/25/2024) → Daily Democrat
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Recent Statewide News

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• Salmon Populations Are Struggling, Bringing Economic Woes for California's Fishing Fleet

Captains of fishing boats on the California coast are bracing for salmon fishing to be severely restricted — or possibly canceled for a second year.

(03/30/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• CA Fast Food Workers Get Higher Wages, but Which Ones?

According to emails obtained by CalMatters Capitol reporter Jeanne Kuang in response to a public records request, a range of employers have been trying to figure out if they must pay $20 ever since the law was signed late last September.

(03/29/2024) → CalMatters

• Your Doctor or Your Insurer? Little-Known Rules May Ease the Choice in Medicare Advantage

Disputes between insurers and providers can lead to entire hospital systems suddenly leaving the plans.

(03/28/2024) → California Healthline

• Homeless Infants and Toddlers Largely Unenrolled in Early Ed Programs

Evictions have exacerbated homelessness nationwide, increasing the rate of homeless infants and toddlers. Most of those children are not enrolled in early education programs.

(03/28/2024) → EdSource

• California’s Disabled Students Left Behind During Emergencies: ‘They Just Weren’t Ready for Someone Like Me’

After bringing his story all the way to the University of California Board of Regents, a disabled UC Berkeley student has prompted the UC to ensure emergency evacuation chairs are in every multi-storied building in the 10-university system.

(03/27/2024) → CalMatters

• RFK Jr. Picks VP, but Still Isn’t on California Ballot

Presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. chose Oakland to announce his vice presidential pick on Tuesday, so it wasn’t too much of a shocker that his pick was Nicole Shanahan, a Bay Area tech attorney and philanthropist.

(03/27/2024) → CalMatters

• Feds Propose Killing Nearly 500,000 'Invasive' Owls to Save Calif. Native Owls

The goal is to eliminate habitat competition between "invasive" owls and native owls.

(03/27/2024) → SF Gate

• Reps. Gaetz and Greene Lawsuit Against Cities Where Political Rally Was Canceled Can Move Forward

A judge ruled GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene can move forward with their lawsuit against two California cities where rallies were canceled.

(03/25/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• At Stake in Mifepristone Case: Abortion, FDA’s Authority, and Return to 1873 Obscenity Law

Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit of an urgent priority: shutting down access to abortion pills for women across the country.

(03/25/2024) → KFF Health News
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (03/29/2024)

Lidl Voluntarily Recalls Deluxe Branded Macarons Party Edition Due to Undeclared Allergens

Lidl US has announced a voluntary recall of Deluxe branded Macarons Party Edition due to undeclared allergens. The recall was issued due to undeclared wheat, soy, egg, milk, and tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, and coconut) in the products as a result of non-English ingredient labeling. People who ha
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/29/2024)

Tropicale Foods Recalls Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack Because of Possible Health Risk

Tropicale Foods of Modesto, CA is voluntarily recalling 5,224 units of Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Pack with best by date of "MO Best By 10/11/2025", because the mango bars in the variety pack have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and someti
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/28/2024)

Shawnee Milling Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Egg in "5lb. Food Club All Purpose Flour"

Shawnee Milling Company of Shawnee, Oklahoma is recalling 5 lb.Food Club brand All Purpose Flour with Best if Used by date 03/07/2025, because it may contain undeclared milk and egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/27/2024)

Geisslers Supermarket Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg, Wheat, and Milk in Sushi Product

Geisslers Supermarket Inc. of East Windsor CT has issued a recall of all Sushi products produced by EZnoble Sushi for Geisslers Supermarket Inc. produced or purchased on 3/26/2024, and 3/27/2024, with a sell by date of 3/27/2024, and 3/28/2024. They may contain undeclared egg, wheat and milk. Custom
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/25/2024)

Cecilia M. Aguiar-Curry CA Assembly 04:
Press Conference for AB 2286 - Protecting the Traveling Public and California's Working Families

Press Conference for AB 2286 - Protecting the Traveling Public and California's Working Families robbee Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:04 Monday, February 12, 2024
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/25/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd: Patti Garamendi is Sacramento County Woman of the Year

Monday, March 25, 2024 WALNUT GROVE Patricia Garamendi, the matriarch of a Sacramento County ranching and political family who served in multiple gubernatorial appointments and federal roles, responsible for addressing matters such as world hunger and international trade, has been named Sacramento County Woman of the year by Sen. Bill Dodd. Patti has devoted a lifetime to public service and …
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/22/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
District Report -- March 2024

A Message from Senator Bill Dodd Dear Neighbor, Spring has finally arrived! I hope you and your family have a chance to get out and enjoy our beautiful district. In the Capitol, I am working on legislation to help with the things you value most including enhancing investment protection for our seniors, wildfire safety and reducing utility costs. I recently …
Image of City of Woodland seal. City of Woodland   (03/21/2024)

Pickleball Courts Coming to Crawford Park

New facilities expected to open in August 2024
Image of United States seal. United States   (03/21/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Frozen Siluriformes Products Imported from the People's Republic of China

WASHINGTON, March. 21, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for imported frozen Siluriformes products that were illegally...
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (03/20/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd: Diane Dillon is Napa County Woman of the Year

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 NAPA -- Diane Dillon, a longtime champion of Napa County who served on the Board of Supervisors for 20 years, compiling an impressive record of civic achievement, has been named Napa County Woman of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd. Diane has made an incredible contribution to our community, providing key leadership in good times and …