Manteca Idol competitors step up their game

The gauntlet has been thrown down.

ODDS & ENDS

Depreciation, age factors put value of PG&E system at $65.1 million

A typical PG&E power pole and line serving Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon is 37 years-old.

Cracks down on taco trucks, mobile vendors in Lathrop

LATHROP – The city of Lathrop is about to join the growing number of municipalities throughout California and in at least three states that are cracking down on mobile vendors in the name of safety and fairness.

Singing the praises of the Boys & Girls Club

Brian Rodriguez knows firsthand how beneficial the Manteca Boys and Girls Club can be in the life of a youth just trying to stay on the right track.

PG&E workers would lose 25% power discount

Several readers pointed out that not everyone in Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon will see their power bills reduced by 15 percent should South San Joaquin Irrigation District displace PG&E as the retail electricity providers.

ODDS & ENDS

City insurance will cover gap in coverage of duplex owner

There was one other victim of the aftermath of the Bank of America robbery that left two young families homeless – an elderly landlord.

Double bout with cancer leads to support group

In 2001, Lori Davidson was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Five earn appointment to youth advisory board

Five teens have earned appointment to the Manteca Youth Advisory Commission.

Casual backyard garden perfect for gatherings part of Ripon showcase

RIPON – One of the gardens featured in the Saturday, Sept. 12, Ripon Garden Tour showcases a spacious back yard of a country home that has hosted many social gatherings of family and friends over the years.

ODDS & ENDS

Reclamation offers fall hikes at Melones

The Bureau of Reclamation invites the public to join a Park Ranger on one of many assorted hikes this fall to explore the diversity of nature and history around New Melones Lake.

Manteca lends a hand

Dotty Thompson walked up to Wayne DeLaughder – a young man who is father to a week-old son – and quietly placed some cash into his hands.

Shrinking resale inventory far cry from 2 years ago

It was doom and gloom two years ago.

Get ready for rain barrels

New homes built in Manteca may soon have a new feature - rain barrels and cisterns.

RAIN DROPS RETURN

New Melones Reservoir - the linchpin dam on the Stanislaus River - is dropping again on the eve of a four-day weather system that promises to usher in March with a whimper.

Their mission: Remember the fallen

Tracy Cemetery is the resting place of nearly 1,000 veterans. They may be gone but certainly not forgotten.

Give Every Child a Chance bowl-a-thon on Saturday

The Give Every Child a Chance (GECAC) Antone E. Raymus, 16th Annual Bowl-A-Thon takes place Saturday, Feb. 28.

Property tax up 14%

Manteca's adopted budget calls for the city to dip into reserves to close out the books on June 30 to bridge a $592,940 structured deficit.

HOLD THE WATER

Don't expect to find that complimentary glass of water on your table the next time you sit down at a restaurant.

Rules against excess watering of landscaping being formed

Wasting landscape water for some future development could become a costly proposition.

Tentative port deal helps almond growers

The Almond Hullers & Processors Association applauded the tentative agreement reached to resolve the West Coast ports situation.

Weston Ranch student wins art contest

Victor Hernandez of Weston Ranch High School won the judges' nod in the art contest sponsored by the Manteca Garden Club. As the winner among 19 entries submitted, he receives $100 cash prize.

Area high school seniors honored by Daughters of American Revolution

Seniors at East Union, Manteca High, Lathrop High, and Sierra high schools were among those honored as Good Citizens by the El Toyon chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The local students were among the 14 who were recognized during a ceremony attended by the students with their parents, guardians, counselors, and administrators at the Central United Methodist Church in Stockton.

IT’S SERIOUS, FOLKS

Four winters. Four consecutive years of drought.

63 PARKS & COUNTING

Manteca hit a milestone three month ago when the city completed its 63rd park facility.

Help sought to spruce up veterans graves

There are hundreds of veterans buried at the pioneer East Union Cemetery in Manteca. The markers on many of the gravestones, through the years, have deteriorated and have become weather-worn.

Blight fight continues along Moffat

Manteca's ugly ducking thoroughfare - Moffat Boulevard - is inching closer to swan status.

Murder suspect faces other charges

If the murder case won't be enough to potentially keep Richard Howard Watkins behind bars for life, the other charges very likely will.