Category Archives: news

Information and resource web pages relating to COVID-19

Information and resources regarding COVID-19 countywide can be found on the Yolo County Health and Human Services dedicated web site HERE. For additional updates and daily briefings follow Yolo County on Facebook HERE or on Twitter HERE. For a press release regarding state testing sites in Yolo County, please click HERE.

Information and resources regarding COVID-19 statewide can be found on the State of California Corona Virus web site HERE

Information and resources regarding COVID-19 nationwide can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web page HERE

City of Winters Information

Resources

A list of COVID-19 related resources for the Winters Business Community can be found on the City of Winters web page HERE

A list of open businesses can be found on the City of Winters web page HERE

Instructions on how to virtually participate in City Council meetings can be found on the City of Winters web page HERE

Weekly updates (each Friday) from the City Manager can be found on the City of Winters web page HERE

Please note, the following City-run facilities/ public counters are open. Customers must wear masks to enter the facilities and follow social distancing rules.

City Hall

• Building permits can be obtained via email, over the phone and through a drop off at City Hall. Contractors are being contacted about updated procedures.
• Utility Bill Payments may be dropped off in the deposit box located in front of City Hall.

Public Safety Facility Reception Area

• Winters Police Department 24 hour dispatch center non-emergency contact number 530-795-4561
• Winters Fire Department 24 hour dispatch center non-emergency contact number 530-666-8920
• In an emergency, please dial 911

Playground areas in Public Parks

• Public parks and play areas may be used following guidelines recommended by the Yolo County Health Department and State of California Health Department.

The Bobbi Greenwood Swim Center

• Information regarding pass reimbursement and contact information can be found HERE
• Lap swim will restart on Monday, July 13th. Advanced registration and payment is required with one-hour slots being available for each of the eight lanes. Restrooms will not be accessible for changing and water fountains will be closed. Participants will be limited to 60 minutes at the start of each one-hour reservation. Unfortunately, because of the close proximity of participants for public swimming and swimming lessons, we do not anticipate being able to offer swim lessons and rec swim this summer.
• New Procedures for Lap Swim:

  1. Please pre-register for your one-hour time slot to swim each day. All swim times are available on the hour. No un-registered swimmers will be permitted inside the pool area. Registration will be available on the City of Winters website (www.cityofwinters.org)
  2. Payment will need to be made online, upon registration.
  3. Waiver of liability MUST be completed in order to participate.
  4. Payment is accepted for each one hour of swim time. Participants will be limited to one lap swim session per day.
  5. One person is permitted to swim per lane.
  6. Lap swim times are divided by age. The swim time of 2:45-3:45 pm is strictly for ages 12-15 and the rest of the swim times are strictly for ages 16 and older.
  7. Please bring your own equipment with you.
  8. We ask that you bring your belongings with you to the pool deck and do not leave anything inside the restroom. Baskets will be placed at the end of each lane for swimmers to use for their personal belongings.
  9. Restrooms will not be accessible for use as a changing room, and swimmers must come dressed and ready to swim. Only one person will be allowed to use the restroom at a time.
  10. Swimmers will enter the pool at opposite ends to maintain as much social distancing as possible.
  11. Swimming sessions will end 5 minutes before the end of the reserved hour in order to clear the pool area and allow for staff to clean. All swimmers must exit through the exit gate door by the bleachers.
  12. Use of the shallow end by swimmers with reservations must be cleared with the COVID coordinator, and only one person is permitted to use it at a time.
  13. All swimmers and staff will be required to wear a face covering when not in the pool or the shower, and to maintain a minimum of six feet of social distancing. If you feel a little off, please stay home that day and return to the pool when you’re better.

  Staff have written detailed protocols to meet Yolo County guidance and protocols for lap swim in the age of COVID-19, they are available on the City’s website. Please read the protocols before using the pool. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Tafolla at diana.tafolla@cityofwinters.org.

Please note, the following City-run facilities have been closed until further notice.

Community Center

• Open for the County meal distribution program only

Yolo County Shelter in place order has been allowed to expire, County residents still are required to follow the State of California stay at home order

Effective 05-28-2020, Yolo County has issued a new health order in effect until further notice that extinguishes the local Shelter In Place order and:

• maintains the face covering health order;
• emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility;
• continues personal health and safety guidance such as social distancing and hygiene; and
• provides additional directives and guidance.

Since the local Shelter In Place order is terminated, Yolo County residents will still need to comply with the State of California’s Stay At Home order and are prohibited from reopening businesses that have not been approved by the State and local Health Officer. A full press release from Yolo County can be found HERE.

Resources regarding the shelter in place order can be found on the Yolo County Corona Virus shelter in place information page found HERE. The web page includes frequently asked questions, a shelter in place 101 document, translated documents, previous press releases, and information regarding definitions such as “essential business.”

Yolo County has created an interactive shelter in place feedback portal to ask questions or share concerns  found HERE

Yolo County Roadmap to Recovery (R2R) (To access click HERE)

The Roadmap to Recovery is “a proposed strategy to chart a path forward through COVID-19 that is fluid and gradual, continues to protect public health, and allows the County and cities to begin reopening various businesses and organizations.” Yolo County has provided a matrix showing which activities/ items have been opened/released (with social distancing and face-covering), low, medium, and high-risk activities.

The latest information regarding activities allowed to resume can be found HERE. Following the acceptance of the attestation submitted by Yolo County; several activities are allowed to resume as long as they 1) follow State and/or County guidelines, 2) adhere to the County’s face covering order; 3) comply with strict social distancing protocols:

Yolo County COVID-19 Dashboard (To access the dashboard click HERE)

The dashboard provides the number of COVID-19 cases in Yolo County along with additional demographic information. The information is available for the county as a whole and also broken down by area. To change the area please choose from the drop-down menu on the right-hand top corner of the dashboard titled filter by area, the information is updated once a day at 5 pm. The numbers for the City of Winters include the unincorporated areas of Yolo County and the populations of communities in Brooks, Capay, Clarksburg, Dunnigan, Esparto, Guinda, Rumsey, Yolo, and Zamora.

Current Health Recommendations

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.

Face Masks

The State of California has updated the information regarding the use of face masks which can be found HERE.

From the Yolo County Health Order: the CDC, CDPH, and the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency now believes that wearing a face covering, when combined with the physical distancing of at least 6 feet and frequent hand washing, may reduce the risk of transmitting coronavirus when in public and engaged in Essential Activities. And because it is not always possible to maintain at least 6 feet of distance, face coverings are important in many situations, including when in public, at work, while engaging in Essential Activities, and all other times when others are nearby.

For clarity, although wearing a face covering is one tool for reducing the spread of the virus, doing so is not a substitute for sheltering in place, a physical distancing of at least 6 feet, and frequent hand washing.

The CDC advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. They should be laundered frequently and discarded when misshapen or damaged.

There is no evidence that shows wearing a face covering will prevent you from getting COVID-19.

To learn more about Cloth Face Coverings and get step by step instructions on how to make them at home, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web page HERE

Recently, the City of Winters experienced a series of thefts from unlocked vehicles and a stolen vehicle report. Each of these cases (6 in total) involved unlocked vehicles. Items taken included wallets and assorted cash; all appeared to be crimes of opportunity involving items left in plain sight. The thefts have occurred throughout the city regardless if the vehicle was parked in a driveway or on the street.

One resident was able to provide video from a home security camera (a photo from the video clip of the subject is below). We are asking residents on the following streets to check their cameras for activity between 10 pm on Sunday, February 9th to 6 am on Monday, February 10th: Main St, East Main St, Creekside Way, Red Bud Ln, Anderson Ave, and Riverview Ct. Any information regarding suspicious persons in your neighborhood can be reported anonymously by calling 530-795-4561.

The Winters Police Department reminds residents that leaving vehicles unlocked and items visible in your vehicle provides an opportunity for thieves to enter your vehicle and take your possessions with little effort.

To help prevent theft always:
• Park in a well-lighted area, if possible
• Lock your vehicle always and activate the security system
• Never leave valuables, including firearms, in your vehicle
• Secure all items from view. If it can be seen, it can be stolen
• Report any suspicious activity to Winters Police at 530-795-4561 for non-emergency. Call 911 in the event of an emergency.

Always remembering to “REMOVE IT, LOCK IT, OR LOSE IT” reduces your chance of being the next victim.

Media inquiries: 530-795-2261

Photo of a person of interest

PSPS Update on October 9 2019 at 12:00

From the City Manager:

As of now, approximately 2/3 of the City has power with the core area of town, including the Downtown without power.

In our discussions with key folks with OES and PG&E, they have said that if your power is off now, you will be off for the duration of the event which is Thursday in the afternoon. If your power is on, there is a very good chance you will stay on through the duration. It looks like they have tightened the maps and vulnerable areas to refine the shut offs.

PSPS Update on October 9 at 6:30

From the City Manager:

Power went out to the entire town around 1:00 am and about 2/3 of the City was back on at 5:45. The core area is still out. Yolo Office of Emergency Services Personnel will be participating in a Statewide Conference Call at 7:30 am and we should know about the possibility of further shutdowns during the day today possibly for the entire town, again.

The wind event is supposed to hit the Winters area this afternoon and into the evening. City Hall is out of power so we will be relocating to the Public Safety Facility on Main Street , opening after 10:00 am.

Stay tuned for more updates.

From the Chief of Police:

The traffic signals in Winters will be set to flashing red effective tonight (October 8) in order to extend the signals’ emergency battery life over PG&E’s planned Public Safety Power Outage (PSPS). It is anticipated the emergency batteries will only last approximately 24 hours. Additional “STOP” signs are being placed at the intersections to remind drivers that intersections controlled by a flashing red are to be treated as an intersection controlled solely by stop signs and in case the batteries fail. Please exercise caution, follow the rules of the road, and extend courtesy to other vehicles using the roads.

PSPS Update on October 8 at 5:00

From the City Manager

Community Resources Center- Winters

A Community Resource Center will be available on the property located at the corner of Railroad Ave/E. Abbey Street in Downtown Winters, starting Wednesday, 10/9 at 8:00 am to 6:00 pm until the PSPS event has concluded. Available will be: restrooms, bottled water, electronic device charging, A/C, seating for up to 100 people.

PSPS Update on October 8 at 4:30

From the City Manager

All,

PG&E has notified us that they plan to shut down power overnight in the morning hours of October 9. In preparation for the planned power shut off, the City has implemented as follows:

• Here is a map of the area affected by the Public Safety Power Shutdown https://yolo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5951a87cddb84b3ab684014dc3dd5456/

• We do NOT foresee any issues with either Water or Sewer Services. We have backup generators which will power the City facilities which we expect things to run normally.

• The City is working with the Yolo Office of Emergency Services and PG&E for a “Community Resource Center” (CRC) to be located in town. These are air conditioned locations where people can also power up their devices and get a little power. Stay tuned for a confirmed location which will be in town

• For residents who live in the country areas around the City (Golden Bear, Positas, Yolo and Solano County Areas) we will have a fire hydrant at the corner of Valley Oak and 128 with a hose for folks to get water. For residents in Golden Bear and the flatter area, Winters Fire will offer water deliver for folks with large animals. Go to this Google document to make a reservation https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexQRkxsWFGg-H0JVEZ5rqh34QcoCJsemn_zhnJ4geMpIzc9g/viewform?usp=pp_url

• No water deliveries will be available to Positas or Solano County but those residents can get water at the Valley Oak/128 location.

• City Hall will relocate our operations to the Public Safety Facility, 700 Main Street beginning at 10:00 a.m. on October 9. Building Permit pick up and utility bill drop off will be available. For those just dropping off bill payment, the City Hall drop box is still available.

PSPS ORIGINAL October 8

From the City Manager

The City has received notification from PG&E that our area is scheduled for a Public Safety Power Shutoff for the early morning period of October 9. The shutdown could last for as many as five days. Please plan accordingly.

The City of Winters has been notified of the possibility that a Public Safety Power Shutdown may impact the entire City of Winters, Golden Bear Estates, Positas and Winters areas in both Yolo and Solano Counties. The plan is also expected to impact other Yolo County areas west of Interstate 505.

The outages are based on wind events which are predicted to come into the area beginning at 4:00 am on Wednesday, October 9 and last into Friday, October 11, 2019. Power may be out for as many as five (5) days.

The City is mobilizing our operations to facilitate water and wastewater operations, public safety and the possibility of the City being without power for a couple of days.

Information from the City will be via the City of Winters Facebook Page as well as the Winters Fire and Winters Police.

Folks can get information via the PGE Website by clicking https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/public-safety-power-shutoff-faq.page .

To get information directly to your cell phone, sign up for YOLO Alert by clicking https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085611271#/login

Officers from the Winters Police Department would like to invite the community members of Winters to join in the 2019 Pink Patch Project. The 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.

The development of new techniques in surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy in addition of increasing awareness about the life-saving benefits of early detection has helped increase the number of breast cancer survivors. However, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. This disease can have a profound impact on the patient and their loved ones.

Each public safety agency collaborating in the Pink Patch Project campaign has partnered with a cancer research organization or support group in their communities. Winters PD has chosen to support the UC Davis Breast Health Center, which offers imaging, prevention strategies, genetic counseling, risk assessment, and specialty physician-patient care to women.
The proceeds from sale of the patches will go directly to benefit UC Davis Breast Cancer Research. Since 2017, the Winters community has raised $3,247.00.

You can support the Pink Patch Project by contacting the Winters Police Department (702 Main St Winters, CA 95694) to purchase your Winters Police Pink Patch for $10 cash or check. If purchasing by mail, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Patches will also be available at community events. Business owners who would like to partner with the department as a patch purchase location can contact the department at tips.winters@winterspolice.org

Today’s Date: 04-17-2019
Submitted By: John Miller, Chief of Police
Phone: (530) 795-2261

Title: Arrest in stolen vehicle call

On April 3^rd at about 5:00 pm, Officers responded to the parking lot of 121 East Grant Avenue for a report of a stolen vehicle.

Officers reviewed video surveillance. The video showed a male steal a white 1992 Nissan Pick-up License Plate 17389D2; which had been left unlocked with the key inside and flee the area. Officers were able to determine the vehicle left by the suspect had been stolen from the City of Antioch with license plates stolen from the City of Williams. The stolen items were returned to their owners.

Winters Officers reached out to the Williams Police Department, Antioch Police Department and other bay area agencies to advise them of the situation and share the suspect description.

The stolen vehicle was seen in Concord by a Contra Costa Sheriff Office Deputy, who made an enforcement stop. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody.

The driver was identified as Kenneth Hubbs, 41, of Oakley. Hubbs was arrested by the Contra Costa Sheriff Office on charges of vehicle theft, receipt of stolen property, violation of parole, and possession of burglary tools. Hubbs was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility for incarceration.

Cases like these are a good reminder for residents to lock their vehicles, make sure all valuables (wallets, purses, and electronics) are removed from the vehicle, and make sure keys are accounted for and secured.

Subject arrested on charges of vehicle theft

**UPDATE**

The Yolo County Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit have evaluated the device and have determined it is inert. They will be collecting the device for disposal.

This unique situation is a reminder to promptly report to local law enforcement any suspicious devices and never attempt to handle or transport potentially dangerous devices.

**ORIGINAL**

The Winters Police Department is currently investigating a suspicious device.

Due to the nature of the investigation our parking area is temporarily closed. There is no immediate danger to the public. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Media inquiries: 530-794-6723