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Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.

By Chris Neklason
Published May 13, 2024

People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking. People are nearby to throw you a line if you feel you are sinking. Image credit: CoolR   Shutterstock/standard

May is Mental Health Month

This week, we note that May is Mental Health Month.  If you live in one of the 10 counties in our coverage area, we include links to groups focusing on supporting your health and well-being below. If not, know that your community has resources available to assist you with information a web search away.

Most importantly, if you or someone in your family is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, call the California Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Also, as always: Peruse your cureated local News Feed; learn about a local nonprofit doing good work; and check out our Recipe of the Week.

California's Mental Health History

A harrowing number of young people report living in despair, while we witness thousands of our neighbors suffering in the streets. Jon Vankin on the unintended consequenses of a misguided health-care reform effort.

UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here

The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.
How the California mental health crisis emerged out of the state’s history of deinstitutionalization and laws designed to protect the mentally ill, as well as the communities around them.

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Yolo County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://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!

A Visitation from the Northern Lights

A mega-storm on the sun and earth's magenetic field collabroated on a show over the weekend.

Aurora Borealis in the Santa Cruz Mountains


The Northern Lights appeared in Northern and Central California Saturday night.

Yolo County Mental Health Resources

Life is the hardest job there is. Luckily, nobody's in it on their own.

Every community is home to a network of helpers to assist when things become more than one can handle alone.

We’ve gathered a list of Yolo County nonprofit community groups with a mission to help people through times of crisis,  ill health and the challenges of aging or past service in the military.

If things are feeling too heavy or out of control, reach out.

And if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the California suicide prevention and mental health lifeline now at 988.

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.

Chilled asparagus soup an elegantly cool dish

Serve the soup chilled but not ice-cold for best flavor. Top with crème fraîche, chopped chives and a blanched asparagus top.
New! Spring asparagus blends well with green garlic

Impact Report Image for decorative use

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.

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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Hilltromper Silicon Valley logo Tips on Ticks for Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Partly due to global warming and the proliferation of ticks, Lyme disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in the US. Here’s how to protect yourself.
The Dirt logo Making Art on G Street

To celebrate 50 years in operation, The Artery—an artist cooperative in Davis—invites community members to spend a Sunday each month Making Art on G Street.
The Dirt logo Visit Davis’ Open Space Areas This Spring

This spring, the City of Davis invites the community to check out the City’s many open space areas that are ideal for walks, runs or family exploration.
The Dirt logo Philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem Pledges More Than $20 Million to Fund Arts Programs at UC Davis

Largest-Ever Gift to Campus Arts Provides Comprehensive Support for Faculty, Students and Programming 
West Sacramento News Ledger logo School District Labor Bargaining Brings Up Tensions

At the April 25 regular school board meeting, West Sacramento Teachers Association (WSTA) President Doug Knepp and Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA) Vice-President Ruth Pagano began voicing concerns about upcoming salary settlements on the bargaining table.
West Sacramento News Ledger logo I-Street Bridge Eminent Domain Disappoints Some

Eminent domain regarding the I-Street Bridge project pits some property owners against the city over the price of their land.
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Recent Local News

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• I-80 Project EIR Released

The environmental impact report for the Yolo Interstate-80 Corridor Improvements Project has been released by CalTrans.

 (05/13/2024) → Davis Enterprise

• 14th Annual Loopalooza Held

The 14th annual Loopalooza event was held on May 5 as bicyclists celebrated by riding the 12-mile Davis bike loop.

 (05/13/2024) → The California Aggie

• Sacramento Zoo Move Approved

The Elk Grove City Council voted to approve the move of the Sacramento Zoo to a 100 acre lot at Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway.

 (05/13/2024) → CapPublicRadio

• Sacramento Plans to Double Urban Canopy

Sacramento is seeking public comment on its "Urban Forrest Plan" to increase the trees in the city with priority given to areas in North and South Sacramento.

 (05/12/2024) → CapPublicRadio

• Davis Popular University for the Liberation of Palestine (PULP) Encampment Updates

The Aggie is providing daily updates on the pro-Palestinian encampment in the UC Davis Memorial Union Quad.

 (05/10/2024) → The California Aggie

• Coffee Studied at UC Davis

On May 3, the Coffee Center at the UC Davis College of Engineering, opened with a focus on the study of coffee.

 (05/09/2024) → Daily Democrat
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Healthwest Minerals Inc. DBA Mt Capra Products Recalls Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit and Warns Consumers Against the Use of Product as Infant Formula
Healthwest Minerals, Inc. d/b/a Mt. Capra Products of Chehalis, Washington, is recalling 1,506 boxes of Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit on the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advises consumers to immediately discontinue use of the product as infant formula. The FDA is conc
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. Recalls Yogurt Covered Pretzels Because of Possible Health Risk
Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. of Ontario, CA is recalling Yogurt Covered Pretzels, because the yogurt coating has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with wea
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Voluntary Recall of Select Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds Due to The Possible Presence of Salmonella
Natural Sourcing International is initiating a voluntary recall of one lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds 32 oz. due to the potential presence of Salmonella that may be in some of the finished products. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/08/2024)

Texas Pecan Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts (Not Named Individually), Soy, Dairy(Milk), Sesame and Wheat Not Named in Product
Texas Pecan of Dallas TX is recalling 1 Lb and 8 oz products because it may contain an undeclared allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to (tree nuts, peanuts, almonds, brazils, cashews, filberts, macadamias, pistachios, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, soy, dairy (milk), sesame and
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/08/2024)

DaVinci Laboratories Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Shellfish Allergen in Amyloid Complete Product Lot 549853001
DaVinci Laboratories, a division of FoodScience, LLC of Williston, Vermont is recalling 72 bottles of Amyloid Complete because it may contain undeclared shellfish (Shrimp and Crab). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to shellfish run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic rea
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (05/07/2024)

Bill Dodd CA Senate 03:
El Senador Dodd Comenta sobre la Expansión del Monumento Berryessa Snow Mountain del Presidente
Tuesday, May 7, 2024SACRAMENTO El Senador Bill Dodd, Democrata por Napa, emitio hoy la siguiente declaracion sobre la expansion por parte del Presidente Joe Biden del Monumento Nacional Berryessa Snow Mountain una accion que el Senador Dodd alento con su propia resolucion ante la Legislatura estatal: Berryessa Snow Mountain (Montana Nevada Berryessa) es uno de los paisajes mas pintorescos y …
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (05/07/2024)

Josh Hoover CA Assembly 07:
California lawmakers grill Newsom administration on homelessness spending and lack of data
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (05/07/2024)

Josh Hoover CA Assembly 07:
BILL TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY IN HOMELESSNESS SPENDING CLEARS COMMITTEE
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (05/07/2024)

Josh Hoover CA Assembly 07:
Asm. Josh Hoover on LA’s homeless crisis
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (05/07/2024)

Josh Hoover CA Assembly 07:
California spends billions on homelessness without knowing the results. A bill could change that