Mutual Housing California and Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity have been selected to develop a 208-unit affordable multifamily housing project to support local veterans VACAVILLE — Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity announced it will not be moving forward on its 14-home Victory Gardens project will continue – just not with Habitat for Humanity It comes after thoughtful consideration of Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity’s current priorities the evolving landscape in which we operate and the most responsible way to steward our resources and donor’s financial gifts in support of our long-term mission," Andrew Killeen chief executive officer for the Habitat for Humanities chapter "We are committed to adapting thoughtfully and ensuring that every decision we make strengthens our ability to bring people together to build safe affordable homes for hard-working families across our service area." Killeen stated that the "decision will allow us to focus fully on Harmony Village a 10-home build in Vacaville on the corner of East Monte Vista and Scoggins Avenue." Mutual Housing California heads the Victory Gardens project promoted by the city as the first Solano County infill housing project to include affordable rental and single-family homes in a single development It is designed with 224 permanently affordable homes including 206 units for low-income households with a preference for veterans and marketing for active military The City Council approved the project on Dec The project will be located on 8.4 acres at 5763 Vanden Road Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates Receive occasional local offers from our website and its advertisers summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen  Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account VACAVILLE — Author Loraine Nicole Meek plans a book launch for "When God Made Frogs," 4 to 6 p.m She is a Suisun City resident who has penned previous books on "When God Made" featuring other critters A live frog presentation is planned as well as crafts Admission is free. Registration is required at www.eventbrite.com/e/when-god-made-frogs-childrens-picture-book-launch-tickets-1339115764299?aff=oddtdtcreator. To learn more about the book series, visit www.fifthdaypress.com Keith Stout started the Vacaville Jazz Festival 20 years ago VACAVILLE — The life of musician Keith Stout will be celebrated at 10 a.m He played a key role in Solano County jazz particularly in Vacaville with the annual Vacaville Jazz Festival and Alive Music Orchestra performances He had relocated there from Vacaville a few years ago He worked as an architect who was a well-known and well-respected trumpet player in the county Stout graduated from Vacaville High School in 1981 and attended Solano Community College and graduated from the University of California who now organizes the jazz and other musical events in Vacaville VACAVILLE — Ahead of a host of reports to be presented Wednesday the Vacaville Parks and Recreation Commission will recognize employees who have worked in the city's Parks and Recreation Department for 20 years Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Play 4 All committees also will be made VACAVILLE — The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association recently celebrated its annual Shining Stars Reception honoring 27 student interns placed in legislative offices throughout the State Capitol State Treasurer Fiona Ma was the keynote speaker at the April 28 event I started hosting APAPA student interns in my office when I began my career in public service as an elected member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors,” Ma told the gathering “I believe deeply in the leadership pipeline that APAPA founder CC Yin (of Vacaville) has built Interns continue to make meaningful contributions to our office and across the state.” “We are all here to celebrate with APAPA and this great diverse community with many CA AANHPI Coalition leaders here too Congratulations to all the amazing APAPA student interns and a special thank you to all the legislators who open their doors to host and mentor them,” Fong chairman of the CA AAPI Legislative Caucus APAPA and the CA AANHPI Advocacy Day Coalition – comprised of over 100 organizations – conducted legislative visits across the Capitol advocating for shared priorities and amplifying community voices The evening concluded with all 27 interns receiving certificates of recognition The remodeling initiative that includes nearly five dozen locations in Solano Sonoma and other California counties is part of a broader $800 million investment Walmart has made in Golden State store upgrades over the past five years Walmart plans to remodel four of its North Bay locations as part of upgrades to 57 stores across California this year The updates are scheduled for these local stores: Rohnert Park and Vacaville stores are Walmart Neighborhood Market smaller-sized locations typically having 40,000 to 50,000 square feet The grocery-focused format has a deli and bakery plus household staples such as pharmacy items The Windsor location on Hembree Lane is a larger-format Walmart that includes general merchandise in addition to grocery items Construction is expected to begin between early summer and early fall and be completed between fall and January 2026 A spokesperson said this was part of the Arkansas-based retail giant’s ongoing efforts to modernize its over 4,700 stores and clubs nationwide “We remodel several hundred stores every year to keep stores up to date on technology and customer needs we plan to remodel more than 650 stores,” Anne Hatfield wrote in an email For example, last year the retail giant renovated its other Rohnert Park store one of its Supercenter large-format locations with a grocery emphasis The remodeling initiative is part of a broader $800 million investment Walmart has made in California store upgrades over the past five years Enhancements in this year’s remodels will include bold new signage improvements to pharmacy areas — such as wider aisles and privacy features — and better support for online pickup and delivery services San Francisco Bay Area locations set to get upgrades this year are in Richmond Walmart executives for the past few years have been talking about changing consumer behavior reflecting economic pressures and evolving shopping patterns “You can see that the money runs out before the month is gone, you can see that people are buying smaller pack sizes at the end of the month,” CEO Doug McMillon said at the Economic Club of Chicago on Feb. 27, according to Forbes Walmart highlighted its commitment to maintaining strong community ties and improving both customer and associate experiences “Our stores often serve as the heartbeat of the communities we operate in and these remodels are a testament to our dedication to enhancing that role,” said Jay Cordray Reach him at jquackenbush@busjrnl.com or 707-521-4256 SOLANO COUNTY— Caltrans and partner agencies are tentatively scheduled to open the new westbound Interstate 80 (I-80) express lane running between Vacaville and Fairfield as a temporary HOV lane on or around Monday Roadway construction on what will become a new express lane is ongoing and electronics and hardware for collecting tolls are still being installed this lane will be available to vehicles with two or more people on board on weekdays from 5:00 a.m The new HOV lane runs on westbound I-80 from the Interstate 505 interchange in Vacaville to Airbase Parkway in Fairfield we ask motorists to please be mindful of their speed for the safety of our workers We expect to formally launch the completed express lane by late 2025 For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans QuickMap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ For 24/7 traffic updates, follow 511.org: https://x.com/511SFBay Or call 1-800-472-7623 1-800-427-ROAD for state highway conditions statewide You asked and Caltrans is answering—the new westbound Interstate 80 (I-80) express lane between Vacaville and Fairfield will soon be open to California motorists as a temporary high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane we expect to pull up the barriers and cones currently occupying the lane by mid-February Here’s what you need to know about temporary access: Solano County - Caltrans has scheduled various nighttime lane closures on Eastbound I-80 between Air Base Parkway in Fairfield to Mason Street in Vacaville Crews will be painting permanent lane lines on the highway pavement November 15 at 10:00 PM until 8:00 AM the following morning additional nights of work are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 9 PM until 5:00 AM Fridays 10:00 PM until 8:00 AM and Saturdays 10:00 PM until 9:00 AM the following mornings.  All work is weather dependent and subject to change The work is part of the I-80 Solano Express Lanes Project At least one traffic lane on eastbound I-80 will remain open at all times.  Eastbound I-80 lane line painting will be completed by Thanksgiving weekend The I-80 Express Lanes project is on-going and is estimated to be completed by Fall 2025 Caltrans urges drivers to follow all construction zone speed limits and to drive with extreme caution as work continues.  To ensure your safety and that of our crews please follow these Caltrans guidelines when traveling: and exhaust systems are in good working order Proper maintenance is essential for safe driving in wet and low-visibility conditions Check Your Tires: Verify tire pressure and tread depth for optimal traction on wet surfaces Use Headlights in Rain: California law requires headlights during rain to improve visibility for yourself and other drivers Slow Down and Increase Following Distance: Wet roads increase stopping distances Give yourself extra space to stop safely and reduce your speed as conditions dictate Avoid Sudden Lane Changes: Limited visibility can make lane markers difficult to see Keep steady in your lane and avoid abrupt moves to maintain control on slick roads For up-to-date information on road conditions including construction zones and weather advisories please use the Caltrans QuickMap tool at quickmap.dot.ca.gov Learn more by visiting Caltrans’ Winter Driving Tips on our site by clicking here Be Work Zone Alert and expect travel delays Caltrans will update its X page at https://twitter.com/CaltransD4 on the latest highway conditions, and drivers are encouraged to check out Caltrans Quickmap http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ Motorists can also receive 24/7 highway condition information statewide by calling 1-800-427-ROAD or 1-800-427-7623 | CleanCA.com | #BeWorkZoneAlert | X | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Solano County — Caltrans and partner agencies are constructing a soundwall along Hickory Lane near the Davis Street/Interstate 80 onramp and offramp in Vacaville Heavy machinery used to complete this work will require occasional daytime closures of the onramp and offramp beginning the week of Monday Local residents should also expect noise and dust during construction Work on this project has already begun and is expected to be complete by Spring 2025 Most work is expected to take place during normal daytime working hours Occasional overnight closures of the Davis Street onramp and offramp may also be required Crews have installed temporary concrete moveable barriers along Hickory Lane This work is related to the ongoing construction of the I-80 Solano Express Lanes Project. For the latest updates and additional project information, visit Caltrans I-80 Solano Express Lanes website Call 1-800-472-7623 1-800-427-ROAD for state highway conditions statewide VACAVILLE — Mutual Housing California and Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity have been selected to develop a 208-unit affordable multifamily housing project to support local veterans Victory Gardens will be the first Solano County infill housing project to include affordable rental and single-family homes in a single development “I’m a military member here on the council,” City Councilman Jason Roberts said prior to the vote and I know a lot of people – especially within Travis .. that struggle with housing – especially out here because they’re allocated a certain amount each month for their housing and sometimes that can be difficult for family I know some people who even live up in Dunnigan that commute to Travis just because it’s where they can afford buy or rent.” "Victory Gardens will provide a combined 224 permanently affordable homes and 14 single family homes," the city said in a statement Nearly 25% of the units will be designated for previously unhoused people Mutual Housing will bring new design and sustainability concepts to the city of Vacaville and surrounding area by developing a building that is all-electric All units will be within 30% to 80% of the average median income with two units reserved for property managers preservation of views to the rolling hills around the project The Community Action Partnership Solano Joint Powers Authority (CAP Solano JPA) in November submitted an application for a grant of up to $5 million from the U.S Housing and Urban Development through its continuum of care program Mutual Housing will begin to apply for additional federal Provided we are able to secure all necessary funding sources the company aims to break ground by summer 2026," the city stated “Mutual Housing is ready to build upon our successful development of this innovative housing model with our Cornerstone development in Sacramento as a prime example of what is possible," Mutual Housing Interim Chief Executive Officer Anne Marie Flynn said "Victory Gardens is an opportunity to further expand our community development work beyond our core Sacramento service-area we’re happy to see growing demand for resident-centered approach to supportive services and property operations,” Flynn added Open Vallejo Vallejo police arrested a 27-year-old Vacaville man in connection with a Valentine’s Day shooting that left one woman dead Imani Marquise Robinson was taken into custody around 6 p.m Monday in the 2000 block of Marshall Road in Vacaville according to a statement from the Vallejo Police Department.  Robinson was booked into the Justice Center Detention Facility in Fairfield on suspicion of murder early Tuesday morning He is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m Vallejo police responded to a reported shooting on the 400 block of Sheldon Avenue shortly before midnight on Friday There they found a woman lying in the driveway of a house with at least one gunshot wound Officers and paramedics performed life-saving efforts Detectives identified Robinson as the homicide suspect and obtained arrest and search warrants on Monday The Vacaville Police Department SWAT and Critical Incident Negotiation teams helped apprehend Robinson A person who answered the phone at the Solano County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday said she could not disclose information about the victim because the law enforcement agency investigating the death placed a protective hold on the case despite public records that mandate disclosure Anna Bauman is a former investigative reporter with Open Vallejo A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service nonpartisan newsroom serving the public interest We are a project of the Informed California Foundation wire service and press association that produces and supports impactful local accountability journalism in communities across the state Open Vallejo is a project of the Informed California Foundation,a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Our Tax ID is 84-4618329.All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law VACAVILLE — Students and staff at Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy were evacuated Friday morning after nine individuals – six adults and three students – began feeling light-headed Vacaville Fire personnel reported Friday afternoon that no toxic gasses or other source was found to explain the illnesses Chris Lechuga said that all nine individuals were in the same area of the school when they started to have symptoms Principal Samantha Working sent a message to families and initiated Vacaville Unified School District safety protocols and students were released to their parents "The safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority," added Ana Maria Farina director of Communications for Vacaville Unified "We are incredibly grateful to the Vacaville Fire and Police Departments for their swift and professional response." "They are going room by room with equipment to determine the cause," Lechuga said in a phone interview Everyone who was evacuated was taken to Andrews Park located on the other side of the school's parking lot No one needed to be taken to a hospital for additional medical care The district will continue to work closely with local agencies to determine the cause of the incident and provide updates as more information becomes available Families are encouraged to check ParentSquare and follow official VUSD communication channels for the latest updates