Category Archives: community

Winter weather in Northern California can be unpredictable. We have gathered the information below to help keep track of weather reports and local conditions, please see the links/information below:

Regional Information
Our partners at California Highway Patrol have their radio traffic HERE, be sure to choose Sacramento under communication centers.

Road closures and maps can be accessed through CalTrans HERE

Alerts are available from your emergency jurisdictions by email and text by signing up through Yolo Alerts HERE

Local Conditions/ Information
Keep track of weather conditions that may impact your area HERE

County road conditions can be accessed HERE

Local conditions can also be tracked by following local emergency jurisdiction social media pages and local news sources.

What is the difference between an advisory, a watch, and a warning?
Advisories, watches, and warnings can be used to indicate both time frames and the severity of conditions. It is important to familiarize yourself with the various definitions in order to prepare your family for any dangerous conditions that may arise.

Advisories or Outlooks: are issued when the potential exists for an event in the next 3-7 days. An Outlook provides information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event, such as public utility staff, emergency managers and public health officials. An advisory is for less serious conditions that cause significant discomfort or inconvenience and, if caution is not taken, could lead to a threat to life.

Watches: are issued when conditions are favorable for an event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A Watch is used when the risk of an event has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain. A Watch provides enough lead time so that those who need to prepare can do so, such as cities officials who have event mitigation plans.

Warnings: are issued when an event is expected in the next 36 hours. These products are issued when an event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. The warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life.

Driving in Winter Weather
Drive at speeds safe for conditions. Wet roads and hard braking can cause people to lose traction and spin out of control because their speeds were unsafe for roadway conditions. Remember to:
Keep a safe distance while following a vehicle.
Keep a light touch on the brake and gas peddles. Gently decelerate to slow down, especially on turns. Don’t accelerate too hard to avoid fishtailing.
During heavy rains, use your windshield wipers and turn on your headlights (don’t forget to turn them off after you park).
Whenever possible, safely avoid puddles as it could cause a loss of traction, the vehicle could go into a pothole, or water could splash and cause internal damage to your electrical system. If you cannot safely pass a puddle, carefully slow down
Never drive around road closures / through flooded areas. You cannot tell if the roadway is safe or the water depth. A car can float with only two feet of water, remember to “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Go over your vehicle’s safety equipment
• Make sure your windshield wipers are functioning properly
• Replace old brittle wipers
• Check your tires for proper tread depth.
• Ensure all your lights are working, i.e., headlights, taillights and brake lights.

Planning on attending the Tractor Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday (Dec 1st)? Here are some helpful reminders:

Our partners at the Winters Fire Department will be collecting donations for their Gifts for Kids program during the Tractor Parade/ Christmas Tree Lighting. Bring a new unwrapped toy to the event and help make someone’s holiday bright!

Street Closures:
Railroad Avenue will be closed from Abbey Street to Russell Street. Main Street will be closed from First Street to Elliot Street for the parade and tree lighting. Other streets along the parade route will be temporarily closed during the parade only. Barricades and No Parking/Stopping signs will be posted. Officers will be making a sweep before the event to make sure no vehicles are parked within the event boundaries prior to the start of the festivities.

Planning on parking and walking to the event?
Make sure to keep valuables left in your vehicle out of plain sight (charging cords, GPS, phones etc) remember not to leave your purse, phone, or wallet in your vehicle.

Lost something? Found something?
Check in with the Police Department (or ask any available Officer).

Going with a group?
Make sure everyone in the group has each other’s contact info and plan a time and place during the event to meet up to make sure everyone has a ride home.

Check the weather!
Be sure to stay warm and dry by dressing in layers and bringing rain gear in the event of showers.

We hope you have a wonderful time!

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday packages are starting to arrive meaning the season for package thieves is here. As you’re making online purchases over the next few weeks, follow these tips to avoid becoming the victim of package theft.

1. Sign up for delivery alerts so you know when your delivery is scheduled – and when the package has been delivered.
2. If you’re not able to be home when a package will be delivered, ask a trusted neighbor to hold it for you.
3. If possible, require a signature for all deliveries.
4. Consider shipping packages to your place of work or use the ship to store option.
5. Be a good neighbor! If you see a package on your neighbor’s doorstep, reach out and ask if they would like you to hold it until they are home.

Think you see a package thief? Note their description as best you can and all our dispatch number at 530-795-4561.

Stay Safe and may all your shipping be free.

A Winters resident called this afternoon after playing defense with a sports-centric solicitor.

As you may know, solicitors in the City of Winters are required to check in with the City. On completion of their paperwork, they receive a bright day glow orange photo ID badge that they must display on their person at all times. Once they have the solicitor’s badge, they are free to play ball.

The gentleman (described as a white male, approx 5’8′, 40 years old with a slightly scruffy appearance, with short brown hair) came into the resident’s business, gave his name as “Bill Martin,” and told him he was collecting money to sponsor a Winters youth baseball trip to San Diego. “Mr. Martin” said he was with Elite Representatives and was working with Sacramento Hoops, he even provided a tax ID number (68-0381191). There are a few issues preventing Mr. Martin from a grand slam though.

Strike one: Sacramento Hoops doesn’t seem to be a charity. Strike two: Elite Representatives doesn’t appear to be a business in California, and the Tax ID appears to have been last active in 2010. Strike three: no solicitation application using any of the above names was filed with the City of Winters.

After the solicitor left, the resident called foul and contacted the Police Department. If you believe a solicitor may not be on the level, please ask to see the orange city badge and contact the Police Department at 530-795-4561. 

The Winters Police Department and Putah Creek Café have partnered for a Pink Patch Project Dine and Donate Fundraiser.

Held on October 14th from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Putah Creek Café (1 Main Street) Pink Patches and Raffle tickets will be available for purchase while diners enjoy the delicious menu offerings of the restaurant. 100% of the proceeds from patch and raffle ticket sales along with 15% of Café sales will go directly to this year’s Pink Patch beneficiary, the UC Davis Breast Cancer Center. The Center offers imaging, prevention strategies, genetic counseling, risk assessment, and specialty physician patient care to women.

The Pink Patch Program started with southern California public safety agencies as a collaborative public awareness campaign designed to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer. The program centers on pink versions of the Public Safety Officer’s uniform patch. The project goal is to raise funds from the sale of pink patches to go directly to fund the research, treatment and education needed to help find a cure and to support breast cancer research organizations in combating this devastating disease. The pink patches are intended to stimulate conversation with the community and to encourage public awareness about the importance of early detection and the on-going fight against this disease.

You can purchase a Pink Patch for $10 by visiting the Putah Creek Café or the Winters Police Department. Orders are also accepted by mail at Winters Police Department Pink Patch Project 702 Main St Winters, CA 95694 (please remember to include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive your patch).

Join us for a fundraiser which benefits the UC Davis Breast Cancer Center

The first rain of the fall season has arrived, which means it’s time to refresh safety tips for driving in the rain.

Drive at speeds safe for conditions. Wet roads and hard braking can cause people to lose traction and spin out of control because their speeds were unsafe for the roadway conditions.

Keep a safe distance while following a vehicle.

Keep a light touch on the break and gas peddles. Gently decelerate to slow down, especially on turns. Don’t accelerate too hard to avoid fishtailing.

During heavy rains, use your windshield wipers and turn on your headlights (don’t forget
to turn them off after you park).

Whenever possible, safely avoid puddles as it could cause a loss of traction, the vehicle could go into a pothole, or water could splash and cause internal damage your electrical system. If you cannot safely pass a puddle, carefully slow down

Go over your vehicle’s safety equipment
• Make sure your windshield wipers are functioning properly
• Replace old brittle wipers
• Check your tires for proper tread depth.
• Ensure all your lights are working, i.e., headlights, taillights and brake lights.

Take your time, and enjoy the cooler weather.

Officer Barajas spotted a rainbow this morning after the first rain of the fall season.