Community News · Solano County
Hundreds of Solano County residents have lost CalFresh food assistance benefits since September due to expanded work requirements enacted under federal legislation H.R. 1 in July 2025. The new rules widened the work requirement age range from 18–54 to 18–64, eliminated most county employment waivers, and removed exemptions for veterans, unhoused residents, and parents of children aged 14 and older. Solano County Health and Social Services reported 271 benefit losses in October, with an estimated 458 projected for November and 341 for December. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is assisting residents with applications at supermarkets, farmers markets, colleges, and partner locations. Similar work requirements are set to take effect for Medi-Cal on Jan. 1.
Local Politics · Solano County
Revisions to the Bay Delta Plan and a revised Certification of Consistency for the Delta Conveyance Project were released last Friday, with local water officials still reviewing the changes as of Monday. The Delta Stewardship Council has until Dec. 9 to decide whether to approve the revised certification from the Department of Water Resources. Solano County Water Agency and Solano Irrigation District officials expressed concern that under proposed criteria, Lake Berryessa would never fully refill and allocations in 80% of remaining years could range from 0% to 40%. The State Water Contractors urged the council to affirm the DWR's revised certification, citing urgent need to modernize water infrastructure serving 27 million Californians.
Public Safety · Fairfield, CA
A 23-year-old Vacaville man identified by the Solano County Coroner's Office as Justin Hamilton-Holland died early Sunday morning after his silver 2014 Hyundai Elantra veered off westbound Interstate 80 and struck a tree just west of the Cordelia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility scales in Fairfield. The CHP Golden Gate Communications Center received an automated iPhone crash notification at approximately 2:52 a.m.; Solano Area CHP officers found the driver unresponsive and performed CPR until the Fairfield Fire Department extricated him. Hamilton-Holland was transported to NorthBay Medical Center and pronounced dead at 3:27 a.m. Preliminary investigation indicates he was not wearing a seatbelt, and alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor with toxicology results pending.
Local Politics · Fairfield, CA
Mail ballots for the November 3 General Election have arrived, and residents can drop completed, signed, and sealed ballots in the locked ballot box on the 4th floor of Fairfield City Hall at 1000 Webster Street. The Solano County Registrar of Voters collects ballots daily from that location. Voters can review local Measure P, Measure Q, and City Council and mayoral candidate information via links provided by the city. Same-day conditional voter registration is also available through RegisterToVote.CA.gov.
Nearby · Public Safety · Solano County
Firefighters responded to a vegetation fire dubbed the "Hay Fire" east of Vacaville on Tuesday afternoon. The blaze, first reported near Hay Road and Dally Road shortly after 12 p.m., grew to 8-10 acres by 12:50 p.m., prompting a fourth alarm. Cal Fire deployed multiple engines, dozers, crews, and aircraft to assist local units. As of 1:45 p.m., the fire was 0% contained with no reported injuries or structural damage.
