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By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 21, 2024

Earth Day: Resilience vs. Disaster

Happy Earth Day! Today we celebrate the efforts our fellow humans (including some powerful Californians) have made and are making to help heal our planet and connect us, while we simultaneously consider what we must do to protect our communities as the climate crisis worsens. We begin with a tribute to a man who is given credit for lighting the spark that led to this holiday.

Below, as always, find a carefully curated selection of local news; a short tribute to a local nonprofit, and a tasty recipe.


Seeing the World Anew

Just a few months before Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders took the "Earthrise" photo above, Stewart Brand convinced NASA to release the first color photo of the earth that had ever been seen. He believed people would be deeply affected by that image and he was right: The founders of Earth Day cite that photo as their inspiration. Here are several other ways this former Merry Prankster changed the world.


Stewart Brand’s ‘Whole Earth’ and its Place in the Universe


Meet the hippie intellectual who changed the world with the first published photograph of our entire planet.

Organizing Against Disaster

Worsening winter storms and the lengthining wildfire season are forcing us to confront unprecedented challenges. Here's how communities are coping and some ways you can help.


Budgeting for Resilience

West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, California, following a storm in January 2023. Throughout the state, communities are being forced to budget for disaster.
California communities are focusing resources in response to the effects of climate change and other challenges.

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.


These scones won’t curb your enthusiasm

These strawberry and cream scones are perfect for a spring brunch or tea.
NEW Strawberries and cream scones with orange zest


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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

Team Giving logo Team Giving

A regional resource, Team Giving contributes to the community by connecting individuals, businesses and service groups to projects that fulfill the specific needs of local nonprofit groups.

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From Our Media Allies

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West Sacramento News Ledger logo City Officials Honor Yolo County Library System

Proclamation Presented by Mayor Martha Guerrero and West Sacramento City Council.

West Sacramento News Ledger logo Mayor and Council Fight Strong for Equity

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the commitment to the California Equal Pay Pledge are now formally backed West Sacramento.

West Sacramento News Ledger logo Yolo Food Bank Finds One in Three Households Are Food Insecure in Yolo County

Yolo County Food Access Survey Report Shows Food Insecurity at 29.2 Percent.

West Sacramento News Ledger logo Sutter Health Donates $569,000 to Recovery Café West Sac

Sutter Health recently invested $569,000 in the West Sacramento Mercy Coalition to house programs of the Mosaic Village, a safe, healing place for those impacted by substance-use disorders, homelessness, mental health illnesses and other vulnerabilities.

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Recent Local News

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• City of Davis Acquires Farmland for Agriculture Conservation

The City of Davis has contributed Measure O open space funding for an agricultural conservation easement on 120 acres of local farmland.

(04/17/2024) → The California Aggie
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Recent Statewide News

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• Newsom Calls Out Republican Abortion Policies in New Ad Running in Alabama

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new ad blasts GOP efforts to make it harder for people to leave states with abortion bans and seek treatment elsewhere.

(04/21/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• As Salmon Are Released Into the Klamath River, Tribal Leaders See a 'Symbol of Hope'

California has released 500,000 salmon into the Klamath River. As dams are removed, the fish will be some of the first to return to a free-flowing river.

(04/20/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• A Private Calif. Ranch Holds Important State History — And It Might Be in Danger

Some residents fear development could destroy parts of the historic land.

(04/19/2024) → SF Gate

• After Previously Being Cleared, Three Alameda Police Officers Now Face Manslaughter Charges

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has charged three East Bay police officers with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez.

(04/19/2024) → SF Gate

• A Plan to Change Your Utility Rates Is Dividing California Environmentalists. Here’s Why

The California Public Utilities Commission will consider on May 9 a new proposal that would change how Californians pay for electricity.

(04/18/2024) → CalMatters

• California Sets Nation’s First Water Standard for Cancer-Causing Contaminant

Water suppliers say the costs will be massive, with rates increasing for many consumers. Known as the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, hexavalent chromium is found statewide.

(04/17/2024) → CalMatters

• Senate Impeachment Trial Begins for Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, a Cuban immigrant who grew up in California, is the first U.S. Cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years.

(04/17/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Paris Hilton Speaks Up for California’s ‘Troubled’ Teens

Heiress Paris Hilton is on a mission to shine a light on the "troubled teen industry," a largely unregulated multibillion-dollar industry that is gaining public scrutiny for alleged abuse of vulnerable youths.

(04/17/2024) → California Healthline

• In San Francisco’s Chinatown, a CEO Works With the Community to Bolster Hospital

Chinese Hospital, located in the heart of this city's legendary Chinatown, struggles with many of the same financial and demographic challenges that plague small independent hospitals in underserved areas across the country.

(04/16/2024) → California Healthline
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (04/20/2024)

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated...
Image of City of Woodland seal. City of Woodland   (04/19/2024)

Sustainability Advisory Committee Hosts Second “Green Drinks” Event on Friday, April 26

Quarterly event provides an opportunity for community and discussion
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (04/19/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd Designates April as ‘Community College Month’

Friday, April 19, 2024SACRAMENTO In recognition of the importance of Californias community college system in providing higher education to Californians while improving social and economic mobility, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced today his resolution naming April as Community College Month. Our community colleges have world-class faculty and staff, dedicated to educating students and helping them succeed, Sen. Dodd said. They …
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (04/19/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
Sen. Dodd Recognizes Fairfield for “Prohousing” Award

Friday, April 19, 2024FAIRFIELD Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today regarding the Prohousing Designation from Gov. Gavin Newsom, recognizing the city of Fairfield as being among the 10 latest communities statewide to have accelerated housing production: I applaud Fairfield for its excellent work in responding to our housing crisis, Sen. Dodd said. The big steps the city …
Image of City of Woodland seal. City of Woodland   (04/19/2024)

Register Now for the Third Annual California Honey Fest 30 Mile Cycle

Enjoy a ride through Woodland and Yolo County before the California Honey Festival on Saturday, May 4
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/19/2024)

Primal Kitchen Issues Voluntary Recall of Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil (750mL Glass) Due to Packaging Issue

Primal Kitchen is announcing a voluntary recall of approximately 2,060 cases of three code dates of Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil (750mL) because the glass may be prone to breakage, causing the product to spill.
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/19/2024)

Infinite Herbs, LLC Expands Recall of Fresh Organic Basil to Include Melissa's Brand Organic Basil Received by Illinois and Missouri Retailer

Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is expanding its April 18th recall to include Melissa's brand fresh organic basil in 2.0 oz ( 96 packages, UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0 oz packages (24 packages, UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg's stores in Illinois and Missouri between Febru
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/18/2024)

Sammy's Milk Providing a Warning Against the Use of Goat Milk Toddler Formula as Infant Formula

Newport Beach, California - Sammy's Milk, a local company, has been asked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide a warning against the use of its Goat Milk Toddler Formula as an infant formula because the FDA is concerned that the formula may not meet all FDA requirements for infant fo
Image of City of Woodland seal. City of Woodland   (04/18/2024)

Woodland Celebrates the Grand Opening of Vista Del Robles

The 72-unit affordable housing community at W. Main & Ashley was supported by Wells Fargo, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, tax credits provided by California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC), and the City of Woodland.
Image of United States seal. United States   (04/18/2024)

Infinite Herbs, LLC Voluntarily Recalls 2.5-Ounce Fresh Organic Basil Sold From February 1 Through April 6 Because of Possible Health Risk

Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is voluntarily recalling 2.5-ounce packages of Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil sold between February 1 and April 6, 2024, and bearing the UPC 8 18042 02147 7 (see photos below) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella