School trustees invite public to SuperSearch 2009! One special event features The Three Docs

From WJUSD:

Superintendent search: Parent/Community Open Forums with the Cosca Group, the Woodland Joint Unified School District Superintendent Search Consultant Firm

DATES: Tuesday, February 3, and Thursday, February 5, 2009
TIME: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: District Office Board Room, 630 Cottonwood St., Woodland, CA 95695

The Board of Trustees values community input! Please plan to attend and contribute your ideas!

# # #

Additionally, the trustees have invited parent leaders (PTA, etc.) to another forum on February 5 at 7 pm at the Pioneer High School Auditorium. This event will feature Dr. Steve Goldstone, Dr. Donald Remley, and Dr. Rob Barbot from the Cosca Group as part of the process of "gathering input from staff members, students, parents and members of the community regarding characteristics they would like to see in a new superintendent."

Click here to download the letter from Rosario Ruiz-Dark, board president.

Sierra Airgas break-in is latest in string of burglaries

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 09-00393

On January 24, 2009, at approximately 9:15 pm Woodland Police Officers responded to an intrusion alarm at Sierra Airgas located at 214 North East Street. Officers found the front door to business forced open and a lock on a security gate had been cut. No suspects were found at the business. The manager of the business indicated several expensive welding machines had been taken.

Click here to see more photos and the full Press Release at the Woodland Record.

Friends of the Woodland Library present annual Murder Mystery, February 7

From the Friends of the Library:

A corporate board meeting gone awry? A murder? Another murder? Or is it…

Celebrate an evening of mystery, mayhem and marvelous fun. There will be local wineries pouring wines, along with delicious appetizers, a fabulous silent auction (including Disneyland Tickets) a private wine tasting for 16 at Rominger West Winery, Cache Creek Buffet and much more), and a murderous play featuring local celebrities.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Boy Scout Troop 464 fundraising precedes Almond Festival pancake breakfast

From Boy Scout Troop 464:

It is that time of the year again – and this will be the occasion of our 2nd Annual Boy Scout JAM-boree Pancake Feed fundraiser! Proceeds from this year’s fundraising and event will benefit those Boy Scouts attending summer camp at Camp Winton and will provide for scout cabin improvements and repairs.

Mark your calendar for “Almond Festival” Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 7 am to 11 am and/or join the scouts for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. (Location to be announced.)

Read more at the Woodland Record.

First Friday event: Marianne Ryan work in progress at the Cranston Building

Local artist Marianne Ryan invites the public to view her current work in progress, “One Nation Under God Particle,” on the First Friday event on February 6, from 6 to 8 pm. Installed in the roomy and historic Cranston Building, at 622 Main Street in Woodland, her mixed media is a large scale event that must be seen to be completely absorbed.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Photo: Woodland artist Marianne Ryan readies to apply paint to one of her large works on paper. By Susan Lord Bovey.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has new officers

From the Yolo County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

According to census data, Woodland is almost 40% Hispanic – which means that the City of Trees is alive with diversity. Language immersion programs, Ballet Folklorico, a plethora of Mexican/South American restaurants among many other examples, weave the multi-cultural tapestry of community we call home.

Supporting the Hispanic business sector, The Yolo County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is an equally vibrant and alive piece of Woodland with the last two years seeing an infusion of new blood and volunteerism.

Read more at the Woodland Record - Business News.

Putah Creek Crawdads

I got my copy of the new Putah Creek Crawdads CD and just checked it out. You may not just love Old-time Folk music, but this music will entertain you. I really enjoy hearing the Crawdads at Ludy's with the family. The kids love the music for sure. I like hearing all different types of music and this CD is music to my ears.

Here is one of the songs from the new CD Going Back. It is called Bottle of Wine.

"The line about teachers and preachers led us to discover a new soloist in our midst. We do have a teacher and what folk singers aren't preachers?

Enjoy!

Click here to hear, Bottle of Wine

You can visit them on the web at http://www.putahcreekcrawdads.com/

Nugget Markets ranked #10 on Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list!

From nuggetmarket.com:

Once again, local, family-owned Nugget Market, Inc. has been named to FORTUNE Magazine’s 2009 list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For,” coming in at No. 10 in the nation. The complete 2009 list, along with more detailed information, is available now at FORTUNE.com/bestcompanies. In addition, the February 2, 2009 issue of FORTUNE (on newsstands Monday, January 26) will run the “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and related stories.

Read more at nuggetmarket.com.

See the list of 100.

See the breakdown on Nugget Market.

See the brief on Nugget Market (No lay-offs, ever!).

Tuleyome working to designate up to 500,000 acres as BSM NCA

From tuleyome.org:

Tuleyome is working on a proposal to designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area (BSM NCA). The boundaries and the exact size and area are yet to be determined. However, our vision encompasses potentially as much as 500,000 acres – a largely undeveloped and diverse mosaic of public land.

Read more at tuleyome.org - see the complete proposal and maps.

Cal Ripken baseball (last chance tryouts)

Woodland Cal Ripken Youth Baseball is holding Make-Up Tryouts
January 31
Lee Middle School
Gym 9 am to 1 pm

Play Cal Ripken Baseball in 2009 and play the best baseball in Northern California.
Here are some highlights:
• 2008 11-and-under NorCal State Champions
• Major League (12-and-under) play on 70' base paths with pick-off, steal, balk rules
• Farm League and up play on grass field with lights and scoreboard

Late Registration will be accepted at Make-Up Tryouts:
$85 per player
$10 sibling discount

Cal Ripken Baseball offers T-ball for ages 4 and 5 years old.
Registrations for T-ball will be accepted until April 4th

We need your help. Call, and spread the word to any parent that you know who wants their child playing baseball. Stay up to date with Woodland Cal Ripken by visiting our website: www.woodlandcalripken.com

Note: Due the rising cost of running the league, we had to raise our entry fees this year. We apologize for the inconvenience, but hope you understand. We offer a split payment to those who need it and we offer scholarships on a case by case basis.

McKay responds to supervisors' spin

From Marshall McKay, Tribal Chairman, to the Daily Democrat:

Disagreement over county, tribe dispute

I was intrigued by Yolo County Supervisor Matt Rexroad's guest opinion last Sunday in The Daily Democrat regarding the impasse between the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians and Yolo County over our planned transformation of Cache Creek Casino Resort into a world-class destination resort. The supervisor stated our inability to reach agreement over the tribe's project "has nothing to do with business, much less money." In fact, the tribe's project, and the resulting impasse with the county, is about both.

Read the entire letter at the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians' Web Site.

From Marshall McKay, Tribal Chairman, to the Davis Enterprise:

Special to the Enterprise

I was surprised by Yolo County Supervisor Helen Thomson's recent opinion article (Jan. 18) in The Davis Enterprise regarding the impasse between the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians and Yolo County over our planned transformation of Cache Creek Casino Resort into a world-class destination resort.

Read the entire letter at the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians' Web Site.

Show off your photographs

From the Woodland Camera Club:

Part of photography is showing off your work. There are many venues in which this is possible. One way is to become "published" in journals, magazines and newspapers. Now WCC members have the chance to become published in the new Woodland newspaper, the Woodland Record. The Record is interested in doing several feature articles about WCC members, as many have travelled to some interesting places. If you are interested in submitting photos, please inquire at stories@woodlandrecord.com.

The WCC meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Woodland Library, Leake Center, 250 First Street, Woodland. The Membership dues are $15 per person per year or $25 per couple per year. Any one with an interest in photography is welcome. Click here for the club's Web site.

Photo: By Sylvia Koelsch, a member of the Woodland Camera Club.

Click here to view her Web site.

Teenage girl assaulted, breaks ankle in jump from vehicle

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 09-0497

On January 24 at about 7:37 am, Woodland Police were dispatched to Woodland Memorial Hospital for an assault report. On arrival, officers learned that the victim, a 14 year-old Woodland resident, was being treated for multiple injuries, including a fractured ankle. The victim reported that she was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance earlier in the morning.

Read more at the Woodland Record – Police Blotter.

Woodland man arrested on child molestation charges

From the City of Woodland:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: Dan Letamendi
To: PD-PRESS-RELEASE-MEDIA
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 4:53 PM

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 08-006512

Jan 09, 2009, 13:30 hrs

Detectives arrested 30 year-old Woodland resident, Brett Philip Pedroia on a probable cause warrant drafted by the Woodland Police Department and issued by the Yolo County Superior Court for two counts of oral copulation and lewd acts with a child under the age of fourteen, all felonies.

Read more at the Woodland Record – Police Blotter.

ACTM Capay money: All gone, after all

From the Woodland Record:

On January 13 the Yolo County Board of Supervisors met and approved agenda item 4.03 – an action to take back $800,000 in impact funds earmarked for the Capay community. Four of the supervisors voted to approve the expenditures. Duane Chamberlain, who represents the Capay region, voted against it. Those in the audience who opposed the recommendation by county counsel thought that at least $300,000 would still be available to the community. They were misinformed.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Man beat by four or five outside The Stag

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 09-0462

On Friday, January 23, 2009, at 01:43 am, Woodland Police Officers responded to a report of a battery that occurred in the 500 block of Main St. It was reported that the victim was punched and pushed through a plate glass window.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Parolee arrested after pursuit up College, ending on Third

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 09-0459

On Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 23:42 pm, a Woodland Police Officer attempted to stop a speeding vehicle travelling north bound on College St. The driver of the vehicle did not yield to police and took the officers on a short vehicle pursuit.

Read more at the Woodland Record - Police Blotter.

Historic guidebook wins Governor's Award

From the "Explore Historic Woodland" committee:

Have you seen the new “Explore Historic Woodland” guidebook? Profiling over 400 historical homes and commercial buildings in Woodland, the new guidebook is expanded, spiral bound for easy reference, and loaded with glossy, color photographs. And as one of only eleven honorees statewide recognized by the California Office of Historic Preservation, the book has won the 2008 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for its excellence in historic preservation.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Photo: Receiving the Governor’s Award in Sacramento are: Left to right; Barry Munowitch, Assistant City Manager; Cindy Norris, Principle Planner; Wayne Donaldson, State Historic Preservation Officer; Susan Bovey, Chief Photographer; David Wilkinson, Author; Ron Pinegar, Project Manager; Ruth Coleman, State Parks Director; and Jimmy Stillman, Associate Planner.

Cedarblade attorney files complaint with DA, Sheriff and Police Chief

From the Davis Vanguard:

Attorneys For Brenda Cedarblade File Letter of Complaint with District Attorney, Yolo County Sheriff, and Woodland Chief of Police

Complaint Alleges "Non-Responsiveness" to Series of Violent Threats, Acts of Violence and an Overall Pattern of Harassment

On December 17, 2008, attorney Matt Gonzalez from the San Francisco based law firm of Gonzalez and Leigh, fired off a complaint addressed to Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, Sheriff Ed Prieto, and Woodland Police Chief Carey Sullivan.

Read more at the Davis Vanguard.

See Cedarblade's public comment at the Yolo County Board of Supervisors meeting.

See Supervisor Matt Rexroad's response on his blog.

Gibson Rd. resident arrested for domestic violence, drunk driving

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland P.D. Case Number(s): 09-0353

On Sunday January 18, 2009, at approximately 12:30 am Woodland officers were dispatched to a call of domestic violence in the 100 block of Gibson Road. A male subject later identified as a 25 year-old Woodland resident Alfredo Pineda Jr. was arrested.

Read more at the Woodland Record - Police Blotter.

Rumsey Band donated $2.9 million in 2008

From the the Yocha-De-He Community Fund:

The Yocha-De-He Community Fund donated $2.9 million to support local non-profit organizations in 2008, more than any other year in the history of the program. The Fund is the philanthropic branch of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, which owns and operates Cache Creek Casino Resort.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Say what Crystal Lee??

I was reading the Crystal Lee article in today's democrat about Mark Anderson. It was going good until the second paragraph, where she writes, "Anderson has pleaded guilty to 21 counts of sexual battery, 20 of which are felonies."

Then there it was again in big bold letters on the right side of the page.

She had me going there for minute, then I thought, why would they be continuing to cross victims if he has plead guilty. Then I realized if he had plead guilty, the story surely would have been above the fold.

Lack of revenue, borrowed funds moves Opera House project to 2012 or beyond

From the Woodland Record:

If the Woodland City Council approves the three-year Capital Budget as staff recommends tonight, the Woodland Opera House expansion project will not break ground before 2012.

Read much more at the Woodland Record.

County finally takes most away from Capay community chest after a nine-month delay

From the Woodland Record:

Thomson: "I feel like I'm in a Fellini movie."
Chamberlain: "Ethically, I think it's totally wrong."

After witnessing the diatribe that formalized itself in a Yolo County Board of Supervisors meeting last Tuesday, one might actually wonder if they were watching a foreign film as one supervisor suggested. The supervisor, Helen Thomson, gave a lecture to visiting stakeholders who voiced their opinions against a recommended use of casino impact funds.

In the end, four supervisors ignored community pleas against the approval of agenda item 4.03 of the January 13 meeting – an action to take back impact funds earmarked for the Capay community.

The chiding came from Thomson who went to dramatic lengths to let the public know how supervisors are protecting Capay from the impacts of casino expansion. As you will see, she missed the point of why the Capay stakeholders were at the meeting.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Trash talk phone message

We get our share of hate mail and messages. Here is an audio clip of angry Woodlander Jim Morrow. Apparently he does not take kind to our paper. Enjoy!

He did leave his address at the beginning of the message, we chose not to publish it.

Click here to listen.

Community celebrates Dudley Holman

From the Woodland Record:

Dudley Holman said, "Life goes by so quickly and we are here for such a short time. I've always believed it is our duty, our responsibility to contribute and give back to make this a better place."

The remembrance card offered by the family at Dudley's Celebration of Life today included these words: "We think he would be pleased if each us were to ask ourselves – What can I do?"

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Sacramento man sentenced in Oct. for bank robberies in Davis, SF, Sac and Berkeley

For what it's worth, here's a press release for a sentencing that happened over two months ago

From Yolo County:

On October 27, 2008, United States District Court Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr. sentenced 52 year old David Bryant of Sacramento to 27 years in prison for bank robberies committed in Davis and Sacramento. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Wong.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Two Woodlanders arrested for JC Penney fraud

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case(s): 08-008224

On Thursday, January 15, 2009 at approximately 1:00pm Detectives from the Woodland Police Department arrested 37 year old Pablo Correa AKA Pablo Villarreal and 37 year old Adriana Castro, both of Woodland, on three counts of petty theft, burglary, conspiracy, fraudulent use of a credit card, identity theft, forgery and possession of stolen property.

Correa and Castro were identified as the two suspects who on December 19, 2008 entered the J.C. Penney store located at the Yolo County Fair Mall and fraudulently used a stolen credit card to purchase $627.53 worth of merchandise. An in store video surveillance system caught images of both suspect committing the crime and exterior cameras caught images of their vehicle.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Two Woodlanders arrested for child abuse

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case(s): 08-006917

On Thursday, January 15, 2009 at approximately 7:50pm Detectives from the Woodland Police Department arrested 18 year old Woodland resident Richard Schirnhofer III and his girlfriend, Jessica Brook Carpenter, also 18 and from Woodland, for Willful injury to a child, inflicting great bodily injury to a child, corporal injury to a child and sexual acts with a child under the age of ten.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Gottschalks Files For Bankruptcy, Up For Sale

Fresno-based retail chain Gottschalks Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In announcing it has filed for reorganization under the bankruptcy code, the regional department store chain also says it has negotiated a $125 million financing package from a group of lenders led by GE Capital. Gottschalks also put itself up for sale.

Read the full story from CBS 13 here.

Parks & Recreation

I just picked up the winter guide for 2009. I will have the forms and full info posted on the Woodland Record next week. There are a few sport sign ups I wanted to mention now.

Adult Volleyball - Starts March 9 - $225 per team

Adult Basketball - Starts May 11 - $265 per team (wow that is cheap, just paid $450 this season??)

Adult Softball - Starts April 6 - $417 per team

Woodland Wreckers swim team - Practice starts early April - $138 per child - ages 5 - 18

I am guessing the softball league will be on the new turf fields at the community center. It will be nice to get a great softball league going again here in Woodland.

Antique and Die Cast Toy Show set for Jan. 17 and 18

From the Heidrick Ag History Center:

Roll back time and return to the days of metal tractors, trucks and cars at a special antique toy show this month in Woodland.

Hundreds of die cast and antique tractors, trucks and cars will be on display — as well as traded and sold — at an Antique and Die Cast Toy Show, set for Jan. 17 and 18 at the Heidrick Ag History Center in Woodland. The show, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, will include one of the largest collections of limited-edition die cast Caterpillar trucks and tractors.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Wrestling dad letter retracted

From the Woodland Record - Letters to the Editor:

A recent letter to the editor has been retracted after a named party in the letter verified some inaccuracies. Our apologies.

Girl Scout cookies

Hello,
It's that time of year again... Girl Scout Cookie pre-order time! Please help Karen Davis reach her goal of selling 200+ boxes.

Each box sells for $3.50 (in some areas they are $4 a box now, so order from Karen and save $$$). The cookies freeze great so get enough to last all year! Money is due upon delivery (approx mid February).

Thanks for supporting Karen and Brownie troop 3802!

Caramel Delights
Peanut Butter Patties
Shortbread
Thin Mints
Peanut Butter Sandwich
Thanks-A-Lot
Lemonades Reduced Fat Daisy Go Rounds

Email cmforcm@yahoo.com to place your order. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. You will be contacted to confirm your order.'

Davis to host Stage 1 of Amgen: Tour includes Winters, not Woodland

From the Woodland Record:

Specific route details for the 2009 (fourth-annual) Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race were revealed last month by AEG. According to its Web site, the tour "will once again have a world-class field of competitors, including two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer and seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong."

Davis will host Stage 1 of the tour on Sunday, February 15 which is actually the second leg in a series of events. Stage 1, a route from Davis to Santa Rosa, follows the first day of racing known as a Prologue that takes place in Sacramento on February 14. Click here to access stage information for the Tour of California.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

County counsel leaks ruling to media

Before petitioners were notified of a Depart 15 ruling, counsel for Yolo County informed a local newspaper on Friday, January 9. Essentially, the public was made aware of the court's decision before one of the parties in the case.

According to Beth Gabor, public information officer for the county, "The petitioners [Historic Nelson Ranch] and their attorney [Don Mooney] were present for argument on the merits of the case on January 7. At the close of that hearing, the Judge [Janet Gaard] took the matter under submission. She apparently mailed an order containing her decision on January 9. That same afternoon, not knowing that the order had just been signed and placed in the mail, our County Counsel called the Judge's clerk to inquire about the status of her deliberations and was told by her clerk that the order had just been placed in the mail. At his request she faxed a copy to our County Counsel."

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Man enters rear window on Leo Way, confronted by teenager

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 09-0220

On 1/12/2009 at about 9:35 AM, Woodland Police were notified of an unlawful entry into a home that occurred over the weekend. The reporting party and resident of the home in the 1300 block of Leo Way stated the incident occurred around 2 AM on Saturday night.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Rumsey Band reelects McKay as chairman

From the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians:

The Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians yesterday reelected Marshall McKay as Tribal Chairman of the Rumsey Tribal Council, a position he has held since 2006. Chairman McKay ran unopposed.

“It is an honor to continue to serve as Tribal Chairman,” said Chairman McKay. “I believe our greatest accomplishment to date has been getting Tribal Members more actively involved in the business of the Tribe. I look forward to continuing the revitalization of our Tribe as we move forward with our Farm and Ranch operations and expansion of Cache Creek Casino Resort into a world-class destination.”

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Local blogging overloaded with ugliness

From the Woodland Record:

JUSTIN LINDSAY, a Woodland blogmaster, gets thousands of people a day from all over the world to check out his Web site.

The stories Lindsay posts get downright ugly. And I’m not talking about the political ugliness you might find on Politiclast.com, Rexroad.com, WoodlandJournal.com or DavisVanguard.blogspot.com – I’m talking about what humans might classify as ugly creatures.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Book review

Okay, maybe the title is misleading a little. I am giving a book review for two year old children.

Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack

If any of you have a two year old, get this book. My daughter loves it. She brings it everywhere asking anyone and everyone to read it to her. She says, "Mack, Mack, Mack." She could have this book read to her 100 times in a row and not get tired of it.

The cool thing is the book is a rhyme and sing along and it has a catchy little tune.

Comparing apples and oranges

I am talking about real apples and oranges and yogurt and milk and string cheese. First of all I have to say Costco has the best tasting apples in town. They are delicious. (I have never bought any at the farmers market so I can't compare with those)

Now let's get to the real topic... Price. The milk at Costco is half the price compared to Raley's and Food 4 Less. String cheese and yogurt, same result. HALF THE PRICE... That is crazy. I am the kind of shopper that never looks at the price. If it looks good, I just throw it in the cart and move on. I do not even look at the register when it is getting ran through. I just slide my card and pay for it. My wife always gets mad at me for not shopping around, but that's just me.

So if I noticed the price difference, it must be significant...

I am going to do a full price comparison coming up on the Woodland Record. I will just cover the basics, but I think it will be interesting.

Yes, I will check quantity and brands and match them as close as possible.

Semi-automatic handgun used in robbery at Quik Stop parking lot

From the City of Woodland:

Woodland PD Case Number(s): 09-0140

On Wednesday evening at about 10:20 pm, Woodland Police Officers were dispatched to an armed robbery that was just attempted in the parking lot 1400 block of East Main St. Officers responded to the area and contacted the victim and witnesses at the scene.

Upon speaking with the victim and witnesses, it was learned that a male, wearing dark clothing, and a ski mask covering his face, held the victim at gun point and demanded money. When the suspect noticed a witness calling the police, he fled away from scene in a southerly direction on foot. No injuries were sustained during the robbery.

Read more at the Woodland Record – Police Blotter.

2008: AL MVP Pedroia tops local stories, Grand Jury reveals WJUSD deal

See last year in review at the Woodland Record:

Olympian Camarena finishes in top 12
WCC accredited: 110th college

Read Part I here.

Blue Shield lease-purchase examined
Bloggers stayed informed

Read Part II here.

Look for the January 2008 edition of the Woodland Record newspaper in your neighborhood this weekend.

Three Broderick Boys sentenced in Amtrak attack

From Yolo County:

Yolo County Superior Court Judge Timothy Fall sentenced three members of the Broderick Boys criminal street gang for crimes stemming from a 2006 attack on Amtrak train employees.

Austen Nunes, 19; and Paliton Nunes, 20, residents of West Sacramento, were sentenced on eleven felony charges including attempted manslaughter, assault with deadly weapons on train employees, great bodily injury, throwing an object at a train, vandalism and belonging to a street gang, plus two misdemeanor charges of assault on public transportation property.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Casino negotiations: Tribe responds to county

From Cache Creek Casino Resort:

For more than a year, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians has worked to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with Yolo County to address potential impacts created by the Tribe’s plan to transform its Cache Creek Casino Resort into a world-class destination resort.

An independent economic analysis shows that the Tribe’s Project will create approximately 1,000 new jobs and infuse nearly $90 million into the County every year during tough economic times, when other businesses are laying off employees or shutting their doors. The Tribe is perplexed by a press release issued [January 6] in which the County calls itself a "victim" of the Tribe’s proposed Project, a development effort that will provide new jobs on top the more than 2,500 current employees at Cache Creek and will enable the Tribe to continue providing distinct economic benefits for the County.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Note: The offer, as well as the supporting economic and environmental analyses, are publicly available at the Tribe's Web site.

Repeat offender nabbed by bail agents, convicted

From Yolo County:

On December 17, 2008, a Yolo County jury convicted 54 year old Roberto Barron, Jr. of Colorado, of two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon for shooting at Bail Recovery Agents who were trying to apprehend him.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

WPD to display recovered property Friday and Saturday

From the City of Woodland:

On Friday, January 9 (5 to 8 pm), and Saturday, January 10 (9 am to noon), the Woodland Police Department will have on display, in the Community room at the police department, property that has been recently recovered and/or seized as the result of criminal investigations. The property to be displayed can not at this time be connected to specific burglary or theft reports, nor to specific victims of these types of crimes.

Read more at the Woodland Record – Police Blotter.

HWDBA meeting reminder: Downtown Plaza

As previously posted, the Historic Woodland Downtown Business Association meeting for January will be held tonight at 6 pm. It will be held at the Elks Club at 500 Bush Street.

As part of the agenda, there will be a discussion about the potential redevelopment project called the Downtown Plaza - off of Bush Street in the Dog Gone Alley area of the block bounded by College, Main, First and Bush streets.

According to Cynthia Shallit of the City of Woodland, "This presentation is expected to be brief - probably no more than 10 minutes - since I am mainly just discussing the process of preparing the plan and describing the opportunities for public involvement. There are no plans or designs to show at this time. I’d like to leave plenty of time for questions."

Lyon moves to Midtown Building as almond prices drop

Excerpts from the Daily Democrat:

Lyon Real Estate will open at the Midtown Building on the corner of Main and College streets.

A bumper crop and a decrease in international demand have combined to reduce by half the price almond growers are receiving for this season's crop.

Read more at the DD – before they take it down.

Cal Ripken Spring Registration

From Cal Ripken Baseball:

Woodland Cal Ripken is celebrating ten years of baseball excellence and is announcing Spring 2009 registration.

January 10 and 17
County Fair Mall (in front of ABS Sports)
9 am to 5 pm

Read more here.

Yolo County spins casino negotiations

From Yolo County:

Yolo County and the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians will likely enter arbitration after an impasse in negotiations related to the Tribe’s plans to triple the size of the Cache Creek Casino. Yolo County has attempted for months to negotiate with the Tribe to achieve a comprehensive and global approach to the expansion.

Instead, the Tribe has chosen to negotiate by limiting the discussion to the narrowest scope possible. As negotiations have reached an impasse, both sides are now required to exchange their last, best written offer, which by necessity is a “bare bones” offer, leading to arbitration.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Council to adopt minutes from December 4... 2007?

Here's tonight's agenda for the Woodland City Council:

January 6, 2009

5:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION

C.1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators, Pursuant to Section 54956.8
Click here for the full story on this item at the Woodland Record.

6:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION

6:01 D. MINUTES
D.1 Adopt Minutes of the December 4, 2007, Regular Meeting of the City Council
Click here to see the minutes from over a year ago.

6:10 I. PRESENTATIONS
1. Accept Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for the “Explore
Historic Woodland Walking Tour Guidebook." Click here for this.

6:15 J. CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Approve New Job Descriptions for Community Development and Public Works. Click here for this.
6. Approve City of Woodland Vision, Values and Mission Statement and Direct Implementation. Click here for this.
10. Approve Funding Strategy Agreement for Interstate 5/State Route 113 and County Road 98 Projects. Click here for this.

6:20 K. REPORTS OF THE CITY MANAGER
11. Consider Extension of Regional Park Lease to the Woodland/Davis Aeromodelers. Click here for this.

Gottschalks in danger of going out of business

From CBS13:

A store that has been serving the Central Valley for more than 100 years is now in danger of going out of business.

Gottschalks department store which is based in Fresno is in danger of running out of money by the end of January.

Read more at CBS13.

You can click here for Gottschalks investor relations Web page, but there's no mention of the danger of going out of business.

Officer involved fatal shooting

Press Release from the Woodland Police Department:

Today at approximately 4:30 PM two Woodland Police officers were checking at 36 Oak Avenue Apt 28 for an individual wanted on a parole hold. While searching the apartment they encountered an armed subject believed to be the parolee. The parolee and officers exchanged gun fire. The officers retreated from the apartment and secured the scene.

Upon the arrival of addition police and allied agency personnel a remote controlled robot was able to enter the apartment and verify the presence of an adult male lying motionless on the floor. Tactical officers then entered the apartment and found the individual to be deceased. This was verified by Woodland Fire Department personnel

Neither officer was injured in the incident. Both a criminal and procedural investigation into the death has been initiated.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending verification by the Yolo County Coroner. The individual appeared to be a male in his late forties or early fifties.

City to cast net for possible courthouse locations

The black and white lines indicate the areas in which property owners will be asked of their interest in selling to accommodate the New Woodland Courthouse. Note the location of the existing courthouse, the county-owned holding jail and Freeman Park. Freeman Park is on the table for courthouse property negotiations.

Excerpts from the Woodland Record:

The January 6 Woodland City Council meeting includes a closed session regarding potential real estate negotiations for possible courthouse locations.

The public notice for the closed session states that price and terms of payment are under negotiation. Mayor Skip Davies, however, told the Woodland Record that city staff is merely seeking approval by the city council (acting as the redevelopment agency) to contact the property owners to see who might be interested in selling property to accommodate the New Woodland Courthouse.

According to Davies, the City of Woodland is showing the Administrative Office of the Courts that progress is being made to help the state locate the New Woodland Courthouse. The purpose of notifying more property owners than needed for the actual courthouse site is to save process time. Simply put, the strategy is to cast a large net to see who might be interested in selling property. Based on the concentration of interested property owners, the state can later assess the feasibility in selecting the exact location for a courthouse and parking.

Freeman Park is definitely on the table, although it is doubtful the city would give the property in response to the AOC's upcoming solicitation for free and discounted properties.

A glaring omission from the city's notification area is the block bounded by Dead Cat Alley, Fourth, Main and Third - owned by Paul Petrovich and leased by the Hoblit auto dealer. Petrovich has been included in the court location maneuverings for several years. The city proclaimed in a 2006 resolution to the AOC that “the Petrovich Development Company has expressed a commitment to cooperate with the county and city in developing a joint-use parking structure... to complement and serve the new court facility.” According to a source, Petrovich is now hedging on his commitment to build a parking garage.

Despite a $458,892,500 state budget for court parking structures in California, the New Woodland Courthouse will get $0.

Read more at the Woodland Record.

Still 26 days to 4707

Happy New Year everyone... it's 2009 for most of us in Woodland. For some, there are still 26 days until 4707 - the Year of the Ox.

January 26 is the Chinese New Year's Day this year... the Spring Festival. Followers of this blog will know that Woodland had a China Town between Elm and College Street in Dead Cat Alley. Although there are no Chinese dwellings left on that block, the Chicago Cafe remains as perhaps the longest continuing business in Woodland (possibly dating back to 1903).

If you want to learn about the Chinese New Year, have some breakfast at the cafe and ask my friend Paul Fong about it. He might even give you a lesson in Cantonese.