Housing & Development · Davis, CA
Davis voters will decide in the November 2026 election whether to approve Measure W, a ballot measure amending the city's general plan to allow the 232-acre Willowgrove development near the Wildhorse neighborhood and East Covell Boulevard. The proposal would add 1,250 homes—43% designated as affordable housing—with units reserved for people with disabilities, while preserving 374 acres of farmland owned by Bullseye Farms. The developer has committed a $6.8 million donation to the city for affordable housing and a community park. Measure W received unanimous support from both the Davis Planning Commission and City Council, with no formal opposition listed on the city's website; however, the land lies primarily outside city limits and would require Yolo County LAFCO approval for annexation.
Local Business · Yolo County
Yolo County's agricultural production reached $911.9 million in 2025, an 11.3% increase and the highest value in at least six years, according to the county's Crop and Livestock Report presented to the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 6 by Agricultural Commissioner Humberto Izquierdo. Almonds led gains at $223.9 million (up 25.2%), while pistachios nearly doubled to $44.2 million. Wine grapes continued a multiyear decline, falling 17.4% to $67.5 million with acreage down roughly 23% since 2023. The report measured gross production value and noted rising costs offset some gains; export certificates covered shipments to 102 countries.
Public Safety · Yolo County
Alexander Christian Perez Davis, 28, of West Sacramento, was killed when his Jeep Grand Cherokee ran off northbound County Road 105 while crossing Willow Slough, struck a tree, caught fire, and came to rest in the water near County Roads 105 and 29 just outside Davis. A passerby discovered the wreckage on the morning of Oct. 7; the exact time of the collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. CHP Officer K.C. Asvitt confirmed the details. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Woodland CHP office at 530-702-6250.
Transportation · Yolo County
Solano and Yolo counties announced the Oct. 10 reopening of the historic 298-foot Stevenson "Graffiti Bridge" on Stevenson Road, about 8 miles east of Winters, after an $8.4 million rehabilitation that began in May. The project included structural repairs to arches and columns, new pile supports, deck and railing rehabilitation, and reconstructed drains. A&B Construction of Oakland served as contractor, with costs split among the state DOT/Federal Highway Administration ($7.5 million combined) and each county ($450,000). Remaining work through December covers embankment reconstruction, tree planting, and erosion controls, planned to avoid impacts on Putah Creek's annual salmon run. Motorists are urged to use caution around construction crews while finishing work continues.
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Transportation · Yolo County
Yolo County will close County Road 24 between County Roads 96 and 97 from Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 23, daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while a Public Works contractor replaces a failed storm drainage culvert approximately one mile west of Woodland. Eastbound traffic will be diverted north onto CR 96 toward Highway 16, and westbound traffic will be diverted onto CR 97, which remains open to north-south travel throughout the project. Local access to properties within the closed section will be maintained, and CR 24 will reopen each evening. The schedule is subject to change based on weather and work progress.
Education · Davis, CA
UC Davis secured $953 million in external research awards for fiscal year 2025-26, a slight decrease of $8 million (0.8%) from the prior year. Federal sources provided $496 million (up 10%), industry partners contributed $143 million (up 59%), while state funding dropped to $105 million (down 50%). The School of Medicine was the top recipient at $439 million, a record high up 32%. The university reported 201 invention disclosures, 197 patent and IP filings, and 32 license agreements during the year.
Education · Woodland, CA
The Woodland Joint Unified School District swore in its first-ever student trustees on Oct. 8, following a July 23 board vote to create three advisory positions representing Cache Creek High School, Pioneer High School, and Woodland High School. Mallory Vargas-Morales, Maryam Fatima, and Martin Navarro-Gomez will participate in board discussions, offer student perspectives, cast advisory votes, and may make motions seconded by a regular board member. The students will rotate seating at the Board dais during regular meetings.
Community News · Davis, CA
OLE Health opened a new community garden at the Davis Community Clinic on Oct. 7, completing a network of gardens at every OLE comprehensive health center in Yolo County. The project was funded and land-supported by Sutter Health, which has invested over $3.5 million since 2021 in OLE's food and wellness initiatives. The garden provides patients access to fresh produce, nutrition education, cooking classes, and wellness resources; OLE has harvested more than 15,000 pounds of produce at its Yolo County sites since 2021. The opening ceremony included remarks from OLE CEO Alicia Hardy, Sutter Davis Hospital CEO Michael Cureton, and Yolo County District 4 Supervisor Sheila Allen, followed by a ribbon-cutting with the Davis Chamber of Commerce.
