Local Politics · Yolo County
In California's reconfigured 4th Congressional District, Democrat-on-Democrat challenger Eric Jones led incumbent Rep. Mike Thompson 51.1% to 48.9% with 106,184 ballots counted as of approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Secretary of State returns. The district spans all of Napa, Yolo, Colusa, Sutter and Yuba counties plus portions of Sonoma, Lake, Placer and Sacramento counties following redistricting under Prop. 50. Jones, a 35-year-old former venture capitalist who self-funded over $15 million into the race, posted large margins in Colusa (39 points), Sutter (37.5 points) and Yuba (34 points) counties while Thompson held advantages in Napa (23 points), Sonoma (12 points) and Yolo (15 points). With 463,619 registered voters and high turnout reported across Northern California, officials indicated the gap of unprocessed votes could take days to tally.
Crime · Olivehurst, CA
Namee Najarro was sentenced Monday to 15 years-to-life in state prison after pleading no contest to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Benito Valle, a school bus driver and T-ball coach from Olivehurst. The fatal shooting occurred during a family celebration on the 1700 block of Sixth Avenue in Olivehurst. A co-defendant's sentencing was postponed while Judge Debra Givens reconsiders his plea terms; a third defendant's jury trial is set for April 27.
Local Politics · Sutter County
In California's Nov. 3, 2026 general election, early unofficial results showed Sutter County's Measure G countywide sales tax increase trailing with 51% voting against and 49% in favor. Two school bond measures also appeared headed for defeat: Yuba County's Measure H for Plumas Lake Elementary School District had 43.3% support, and Sutter County's Measure H for Live Oak Unified School District had 46.3%, both below the required 55% threshold. Other contests included Live Oak City Council races, Yuba City Unified school board races, and various school district and special district elections across both counties. Vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day may be counted if received by Nov. 10; counties must certify results by Dec. 3.
Social Events · Sutter County
The California Swan Festival, hosted by the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust, returns Nov. 12-15 with up to 16 guided tours across the Yuba-Sutter region for observing wintering tundra swans, hiking the Sutter Buttes, and visiting working farms. The kickoff celebration is set for Friday, Nov. 13 at 4:30 p.m. at Munger Family Vineyard in Sutter, featuring presentations on Indigenous cultural connections to waterfowl and rice-farming conservation efforts. This year's format shifts from a central hub to outdoor field experiences led by land trust staff. Registration is open through Nov. 11; the Beale Air Force Base birdwatching tour required earlier registration by Oct. 30 due to security screening.
Community brief · Wheatland, CA
Yuba City native Tyler Rich will perform at "The Event," an annual charity concert at Wheatland's Hard Rock Casino, on Saturday, November 7, at 8 p.m. The event has raised more than $300,000 for Mid-Valley community organizations. Retired businessman and 93Q Radio host John Cassidy will emcee the evening.
