Local Politics · Yolo County
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors received a draft Groundwater Work Plan for fiscal year 2026-27 outlining 10 objectives with target timelines through late 2027. The board extended its moratorium on new agricultural wells in Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency focus areas until Aug. 25, 2027, and directed staff to draft an ordinance amendment requiring all new agricultural wells to be meter-ready. Five qualified hydrogeologist firms were placed on a list that the board asked to be required for applicants, with applicant-paid peer review also mandated. The board also received an informational update on CARTA, a Joint Powers Authority that will operate the Yolo 80 Express Lanes—three free lanes plus one tolled lane in each direction—with tolls beginning in 2028 and dynamic pricing via FasTrak. The next Board of Supervisors meeting is set for Nov. 3.
Crime · Davis, CA
Davis Police Activity — October 19, 2026
POLICE ACTIVITY
7:20 a.m., Thomson Loop – Grand Theft. A break-in occurred over the weekend at the reporting party's jobsite. There was no sign of forced entry; access may have been gained via a key left in a lock box or through an electrical panel. The reporting party has a camera facing the site but had not yet reviewed the footage. All tools and pool materials were taken. Report taken.
9:55 a.m., E. 8th Street – Assault. A Black female adult, medium build, wearing a gray sweater and black leggings, punched another person from behind. The victim is a 57-year-old woman; it was unclear whether medical attention would be needed, and the fire department was dispatched as a precaution. The suspect vehicle left the scene and turned eastbound on E. 8th Street. Report taken.
12:31 p.m., Cowell Boulevard – Suspicious Circumstance. An abandoned firearm with one bullet confirmed in the chamber was found behind an apartment building. Service provided.
2:08 p.m., 2nd Street – Shoplifting Complaint. A subject was detained by store staff in their office pending police arrival. The reporting party was to meet officers in the loss-prevention office. Arrest made.
3:50 p.m., J Street at 3rd Street – Throwing Substance at Vehicle. A man threw a rock at a police truck. The suspect, described as a white male adult wearing a brown sweater and riding a bicycle, was last seen heading toward L Street. Report taken.
5:47 p.m., Albany Circle – Harassment. A group of juveniles, whose descriptions were unknown, rang the reporting party's doorbell and ran off, then threw a rock at the side of the house. The reporting party stated the same group had been doing this repeatedly over the past several days. Service provided.
6:59 p.m., Rio Grande Street – Petty Theft. A language barrier complicated the report. The incident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. that day. An elderly female adult reportedly placed a fake necklace around the reporting party's neck and removed his gold chain in the process. Report taken.
7:27 p.m., Cowell Boulevard – Shoplifting Complaint. A subject walked out of the store carrying a trash bag full of clothing, estimated at $500 to $600. The suspect is described as a white male adult in his 40s with a tattoo on his head, wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and black shoes. He left the scene in a gray Honda SUV. A second person, described as a Hispanic female adult in her 30s wearing a long-sleeve shirt or hoodie, remained inside the store roaming but was not detained. She is known to staff as a shoplifter. Report taken.
9:27 p.m., 2nd Street – Attempt to Contact/Locate. A male subject appeared to be lighting items on fire and throwing them into a trash bin. He was described as wearing a bicycle helmet with a hat on top, a dark green jacket, unknown bottoms, and carrying a backpack. Unable to locate.
10:18 p.m., 2nd Street – Trespass Complaint. A transient subject was observed crouching behind a woodshed on the reporting party's front lawn. No description could be obtained beyond the crouching posture. The reporting party, a resident, reported hearing a gas sound and believed the person may have been inhaling from small gas canisters. The resident requested that an officer make in-person contact to address the trespass. Cancelled by the reporting party.
Source: davis_crime
Education · Davis, CA
At their second October meeting, Davis Joint Unified School District trustees launched a multi-part conversation about increasing student and staff belonging, with Superintendent Matt Best presenting existing programs including school climate committees, Youth Truth surveys, and a student advisory board addressing discriminatory incidents. Public commenters raised concerns about the Jewish community's representation in Ethnic Studies curriculum and urged the board to center student voices. Trustees Lea Darrah, Cecelia Greenwald, and Joe Dinunzio discussed defining belonging, data collection challenges, and an iterative approach to policy. Future meetings will analyze survey data and consider new strategies, though Best cautioned that budget constraints mean new programs may require discontinuing existing ones.
Community News · Yolo County
The PG&E Corporation Foundation announced $1.32 million in grants to hunger-relief organizations across 45 California counties, including a $14,870 grant to the Yolo Food Bank. Executive Director Karen Baker said the funds will help provide nutritious food to individuals and families across Yolo County. Grant allocations use the California Department of Social Services' formula based on county poverty and unemployment levels. Separately, earlier this month the Yolo Food Bank received a $500,000 People-First AI grant from the OpenAI Foundation, making it the only California food bank among 163 national recipients.
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Community brief · Davis, CA
The Davis High School Jazz Choir will host a Veterans Day workshop for elementary students on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 1 to 5 p.m. The event at the Richard Brunelle Performance Hall includes singing, dancing, and music instruction led by choir members. No prior experience is required, though advance registration is recommended due to limited space. A suggested donation of $40 per student supports the choir's activities.
Community brief · Davis, CA
Volunteer-led bird strolls are scheduled at the North Davis Ponds on Wednesday, November 4, and Saturday, November 7. The November 4 event meets at Isle Royal and Bryce Lane for a stroll at the West Ponds at 9 a.m. The November 7 event meets at the pond end of the North Pond parking lot at 3500 Anderson Road at 9 a.m. These events follow an October stroll that recorded 40 bird species.
Community brief · Davis, CA
The Yolo Basin Foundation is hosting a two-day docent training on Saturday, Oct. 24 (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 25 (9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) for volunteers who wish to lead guided tours of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the city of Davis Wetlands. Tours at the Yolo Bypass run October through June on the third Sunday of each month, while Davis Wetlands tours occur the first Sunday monthly year-round. Interested participants can sign…
Nearby · Public Safety · Woodland, CA
Woodland police are investigating a collision between a federal immigration vehicle and a pedestrian near Locust and Clover streets on Tuesday morning. The incident, reported shortly after 9:30 a.m., resulted in minor injuries to the pedestrian, identified by advocacy group NorCal Resist as Antonio Moreida. While police stated the collision is not being treated as a hit-and-run, the circumstances remain under investigation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Nearby · Transportation · Yolo County
Sacramento County will fully close the Freeport Bridge to vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays November 2 through November 30 for structural steel weld repairs on the bridge deck. The bridge crosses the Sacramento River about four miles north of Clarksburg, connecting South River Road in Yolo County with Freeport Boulevard/State Route 160 in Sacramento County. Detour routes direct travelers through West Sacramento to the north or across the Paintersville Bridge on SR 160 to the south. Sacramento County initially planned nighttime work but could not obtain U.S. Coast Guard approval for marine traffic restrictions, and November's lower temperatures and higher moisture were deemed unsuitable for welding quality.
