Spreckels: Decade’s sweetest story

It was the biggest pile of rubble Manteca had ever seen.

Redundant farm conversion studies adding to cost of housing projects

Manteca bureaucrats have ordered environmental impact studies for farmland conversion despite the fact it has already been addressed in a litigated settlement between the development community, environmental groups, and public agencies throughout San Joaquin County.

ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY

An intoxicated 30-year-old homeless man with the last name of Swanson was clipped by a westbound Union Pacific train and dragged 70 yards near the Yosemite Avenue crossing shortly after 6 p.m. Monday. The man escaped serious injury and reportedly only had shoulder abrasions. He was transported to a local hospital.

Kuhn among Almond Blossom Queen hopefuls

RIPON – As a lifelong Ripon resident, Megan Kuhn has nothing but fond memories of growing up around the Almond Blossom Festival.

Garden Club meets Jan. 18

The Manteca Garden Club welcomes garden enthusiasts in the Central Valley to attend their next meeting on Monday, Jan. 18, at 12:30 p.m. at the McFall Room of the Manteca Public Library to hear Diana Montgomery speak on "Four Seasons of Color" for your garden.

Keeping Meals on Wheels going

RIPON - Two Ripon women have stepped up to the plate and hit the ball out of the park in saving the Meals on Wheels program and enhancing the meals program at the Ripon Senior Center.

January: Big month for housing?

Manteca could end up with its best January since 2000 for new housing starts.

Manteca Visitors’ Center now open

The Central Valley's only visitor' center between Merced and Sacramento officially opens today in Manteca.

Museum talk features Save Mart’s Bob Piccinini

Bob Piccinini – the Manteca High graduate who helped build the family grocery business into more than 250 stores – is speaking during Thursday's Manteca Historical Society meeting.

Roundabouts could help reduce costs

More roundabouts could be in Manteca's future as a strategy to reduce the cost of housing, cut vehicle air pollution, and contain future city costs.

McNerney ‘not knowing facts’ prompts run

Elizabeth Emken is no stranger to the political arena.

ODDS & ENDS

MICK FOUNTS FUNDRAISER

Bingo Schmingo with Kathleen Rushing

The public is invited to enjoy Bingo Schmingo music, a lively musical presentation full of interactive songs, stories and dances.

Library hosts estate planning seminars

Three free educational seminars concerning estate and long-term care planning, probate, and living trusts will be presented during January by attorney Gina B. Leguira at the Manteca Branch Library.

Valencia running for mayor of Lathrop

LATHROP – When Rosalinda Valencia called for Lathrop Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal to step down from his position at a meeting last month it drew a collective exasperated breath from the crowd.

Strategy: Inconvenience homeless

Manteca Police for the past six weeks have stepped up their pressure on the homeless at Library Park.

WOODWARD & WATER

"Little drops of water

Chamber seeks help to clean 2,500 flags

The Manteca Chamber of Commerce along with a small army of volunteers have helped line Manteca's streets with 2,500 flags at least 10 times a year since 2002 to mark major holidays.

Water supplies tighten

There is less water than previously thought available from New Melones for South County farmers and municipal users in Manteca, Lathrop, and Tracy.

THE HAM MAN

There are four seasons of the year – winter, spring, summer and fall.

Ripon hosts 300 Police Explorer cadets

Some 300 Police Explorers from throughout the state converged on Ripon High to test their proficiencies in day-to-day police tactics and procedures in the fourth year of the Central Valley Explorer Competition.

Panera Bread seeks OK from Manteca planners

Panera Bread is before the Manteca Planning Commission Tuesday seeking approval of a 4,200-square-foot restaurant on East Yosemite Avenue.

Walkup focusing on movie on mime

Jon Walkup is at it again.

ON TAP OR IN BOTTLE?

What's safer to drink: Manteca tap water or bottled water?

Tap water: A twist of chlorine

Can you really taste the difference between bottled water and tap water?

Some of the cleanest water on the planet

Some of that water flowing from your faucet in Manteca between April and October likely first reached earth as a snowflake in the rugged Sierra terrain north of Yosemite Park.

Troop packing event collects items and hand-written letters

Teri Palmer has put together enough care packages to know that the best gift an American soldier can receive isn't soap, soup or a magazine, but a hand-written note.

SLICE OF SUMMER FUN

Juan Cuenca shared his secret on eating watermelon.

Manteca water use drops 20.4%

Brown lawns are starting to pay off for Manteca when it comes to conserving water.