1: A few days after the volleyball team quickly worked through Highlands, the Woodland Christian High School football team got a crack at them and had similar results, leading to a whopping 62-7 senior night win victory this past Friday night.

2: The Woodland Christian High School varstiy volleyball team advanced to the second round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs following a now routine, 3-set sweep over John Adams Academy in the first round.

3: Yolo County’s Health and Human Services Agency was pleased to announce the successful completion of its third round of the Yolo Bonus Bucks (YBB) program, which has distributed over $900,000 in healthy food access and incentives to Yolo County residents in need.

4: Last week, over 200 students from Yolo County and surrounding areas participated in career discussions about robotics, drones and autonomous vehicles in agriculture at the FIRA USA event held at the Yolo County Fairgrounds. FIRA USA is the national chapter of FIRA, an international effort to highlight advancements in agricultural technology and showcase the latest developments in streamlining farming processes.

5: Earlier this week, Congressman Mike Thompson announced he was presented the American Farm Bureau Federation’s “Friend of Farm Bureau” award by Shannon Douglass, president of the California State Farm Bureau, for his outstanding service to support farmers, growers, and producers during the 118th Congress.

6: The Yolo County Children’s Alliance (YCCA) is thrilled to announce its 19th annual Community Giveaway Day, which will bring warmth and holiday cheer to local families in need.

7: Last month, Dunnigan native and Woodland High School graduate Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez accelerated his ascension up the UFC middleweight rankings, winning his sixth fight in a row via a fifth-round TKO over the unconventional and sometimes unpredictable Michel Pereira.

8: In a quest to find out what happens to a ballot once it’s cast, the Daily Democrat was able to receive an exclusive interview and tour of elections facilities with Yolo County’s Accessor/Clerk-Recorder Jesse Salinas, where he explained just what happens to ballots when they are cast.

9: The city of Woodland appointed John Murphy as a new member of the Woodland Planning Commission. According to the staff report, member Chris Holt resigned after thirteen years of consecutive service on Nov. 21.

10: Woodland High School FFA chapter member Olivia Burns was awarded the American FFA Degree during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo. Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization by expressing a desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. This year’s convention took place from Oct. 23 through 26.

11: In honor of Native American Heritage Month the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation welcomed all people to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, histories, significant contributions and present-day lives of Native Americans throughout the United States. The local Tribe is looking to the community to embrace and reflect on Native American history, as it’s essential to acknowledge the resilience contributions of Native peoples to society.

12: The Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved a $14.2 million construction contract to build a new library branch called the Walnut Park Branch Library in Davis. Supervisors accepted a bid from DL Falk Construction, which is based in Hayward after Yolo County Director of General Services Ryan Pistochini said the county received four different offers from various contractors.

13: The 2024 general election came to a close. Polls closed at 8 p.m., and the first wave of results came in around 8:15 p.m., according to Yolo County elections officials. Voters in Yolo County were tasked with making their voices heard at the ballot box, facing a myriad of local, state and federal candidates, as well as a plethora of local and state propositions.

14: Light rain dampened turnout for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, but some quick thinking allowed the memorial to continue unabated. The annual ceremony sponsored by American Legion Yolo Post 77 was scheduled to return as it has for decades to the Old Courthouse on Court Street, where both veterans, young and old, as well as their families and friends, could honor them for their service.

15: Winters Police have issued a warning to residents after multiple mountain lion sightings were reported, causing concern amongst the otherwise calm community. “Mountain Lions seen in and around Winters before seem to mainly enjoying the Putah Creek corridor and surrounding areas,” the department posted on its Facebook page. “Thankfully, most of the sightings have been tracks- but some of our residents have had closer encounters.”

16: After years of determined community advocacy, collaboration, and dedicated efforts, the Knights Landing Community Park officially opened its gates with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, bringing together elected officials, community partners, county staff and over 100 residents.

17: Earlier this month, over 450 community members gathered to celebrate and attend the 5th annual Dia de Muertos event hosted by CommuniCare+OLE. The event took place at the Hansen Family Health Center in Woodland, located at 215 W. Beamer St., on Friday, Nov. 1.

18: Four Woodland Joint Unified School District seniors were recognized for academic excellence at the Mexican American Concilio of Yolo County’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and 36th Recognition Dinner and Scholarship Fundraiser last month.

19: California Highway Patrol responded to a pedestrian-involved crash around 11 p.m. on Nov. 14 on Interstate 5 Freeway near West Street. Authorities have yet to confirm the ultimate cause of the crash leading to the teenage girl’s death. However, authorities do claim she was walking on the freeway lanes when a car struck her.

20: Northern areas of California and the Pacific Northwest braced themselves strongest atmospheric river storm system, which has the potential to form a “bomb cyclone” that could intensify overnight.

21: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7143 in Esparto held its first Veterans Day BBQ and awards ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments and thank all veterans. The event honored Mrs. Teresa Warde as “Teacher of the Year” and Sherriff’s Deputy Reiko Matsumura as “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year,” who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and made a huge impact on the lives of local citizens.

22: The Woodland Christian varsity football team was able to crank up the intensity in the second half of their playoff game to pull away from the visiting Liberty Ranch and defeat them 21-7, advancing them to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI semifinals next week.

23: ‘Wicked’ — written by Gregory Maguire — tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, whose real name is Elphaba, revealing the true nature of how one of the most infamous villains in fiction came to be. The story is so much more than a tale of magic and adventure — it’s a love letter to friendship, sisterhood, and most importantly, the story of a strong-willed woman finding her voice and speaking her truth to power.

24: Earlier in the month, Yuba Community College alum Dr. Marlin “Skip” Davies was recognized by the Community College League of California as one of its 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees.

25: Earthbound Ceramics— located at 427 College St. — is a new creative sanctuary and community art space in Woodland for people of all ages to take classes and learn all about ceramics.

26: A fatal stabbing of a man in West Sacramento on Friday prompted law enforcement to start a homicide investigation, resulting in the arrest of Marcelino Castene.

27: Upon first glance, Tuna Sandwich seems to be your typical, adorable 6-week-old kitten. What people may not know is this kitten was left abandoned near a Subway restaurant and was found knocking on death’s door.

28: Woodland hasn’t had the reputation of being a “Winter Wonderland,” as ice and snow rarely make an appearance even in the coldest months. However, Al Eby of Visit Woodland had a vision: turn the newly updated Freeman Park and turn it into a scene straight out of a Hallmark Holiday movie.

29: Earlier this week, the Woodland Police Department promoted one of its own during a special swearing-in ceremony for newly named Sgt. Joshua Amoruso. In front of his family and friends at the police station community room located at 1000 Lincoln Ave., Amoruso elected to have his wife, Sheri, ceremonially pin his badge.

30: Earlier this month, the Yolo Community Foundation was pleased to celebrate the honorees for the annual Yolo Philanthropy Awards, recognizing the extraordinary individuals and organizations who made a significant impact in Yolo County. Woodland recipients included Woodland Food Closet: Romie Holland, Woodland Opera House: Tom and Meg Stallard, Woodland Recreation Foundation and the City of Woodland: Carole Pirruccello, Woodland Robotics Digital Minds: Mark Barichievich.