Independence Day vendors sought at BLD

The City of Manteca in partnership with Big League Dreams will be sponsoring a community-wide Independence Day Fireworks event at Big League Dreams on Friday, July 3.

Going green to save green

By DENNIS WYATT Managing editor of the Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin Every time you flush the toilet you're flushing money down the drain. Not only is the three gallons or so of drinking water expensive but making waste water clean enough to meet ever tightening state standards before it is discharged to the San Joaquin River is actually more expensive. It is one reason why Manteca Mayor Willie Weatherford wants to see that water put to ...

School kept him on track as he dealt with being homeless

The following is the speech given by Andrew Ramos at Calla High's graduation last week. Caroline Thibodeau, Manteca Unified's Director of Health Services and Homeless Foster Liaison, is trying to secure Ramos a job so he can support himself and continue going to college. She can be reached at 858-0782.

1st graduation in Shasta’s gym

Shasta School's 8th-grade class of 2009 will go down in history as the first to hold graduation ceremonies in its brand-new multi-purpose gym. "They're thrilled. They are so excited," a faculty member said, describing the reaction of the graduating students to having their commencement exercises in the just-completed building next to Shasta Park, arguably the most picturesque neighborhood parks in Manteca. Sixty-five proud hornets proudly wore their yellow and black school colors to the Monday ...

McNerney delivers $476K to GECAC tutoring effort

There's no guarantee that the annual lobbying trip that San Joaquin County elected officials and non-profit representatives take to Washington, D.C,. is going yield anything of major substance by the time the lobbying trip ends. But Monday afternoon, Congressman Jerry McNerney – who represents California's 11th Congressional District – was happy to welcome dozens of local dignitaries to Sequoia Elementary School where he unveiled a $476,000 check that will help provide a much needed influx ...

Major crime drops 11.4% in Manteca

The 11 categories of crime that the FBI rates the general overall safety of a community dropped 11.4 percent in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2008. It is part of a continuing trend for over a year that has seen most crimes drop in Manteca. The felonies that are also known as Part 1 crimes have dropped from 2008 to 2009 on a January through April comparison ...

Alison Council’s spirit will live on in Ripon

RIPON - The spirit of Alison Council was there - in Ripon High's Stouffer Field football stadium Monday night - there for a hastily orchestrated candlelight tribute in her honor. Her spirit was there in the hearts of the some 500 friends -- adults and students alike - who filled one set of bleachers with candles in hand. So many of those 500 promise to be at graduation Wednesday night and fresh in their hearts ...

Manteca man draws 8 years on sexual abuse on child

Christopher Blane Miller, 43, was sentenced to eight years in state prison on sexual abuse to two children under 14. He was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct, Manteca Police said.

Chance to sponsor a Sober Grad senior

The Manteca High School Sober Grad committee has announced the Class of 2009 will have their grad night celebration at the Strike Zone Family Center after the graduation ceremonies on Thursday night.

SSJID could save Manteca $330K yearly

You think your personal PG&E bill is staggering consider what you pay as a Manteca taxpayer and ratepayer.

Manteca adds Poolates, scuba camp, lap swim in addition to swim lessons

Want a workout without working up a sweat? Manteca Parks and Recreation may have the answer for you. As part of its upgraded summer recreation offerings for adults and youth, the city is offering poolates for both men and women this summer. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday starting June 8 and running through Aug. 7 from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Lincoln Park Pool on Powers Avenue. The cost is $5 per day. ...

Wind power

Manteca Cub Scout Pack 423 annual Regatta Crossover Swim Party at Lincoln Pool took plaec on Sunday.

Browne flap nearing end in Lathrop

LATHROP – The final step in the long-running wrongful termination charges filed by former senior building official Matt Browne against the City of Lathrop appears to be approaching the finish line.

Ripon man’s generosity spurs savings

RIPON – Mike Restuccia didn't know that the financial markets would be on the verge of collapse when he first came up with the idea to give 8th grade students at Ripon Elementary $20 in a savings account as a way to teach them about saving money.

Trio tops East Union High Class of 2009

Lauren Mitchell, Robyn Raker and Jessica Golden could be considered this year's best and brightest students at East Union High.

1,619 more Manteca homes?

Get ready for a new McMansion Era in Manteca.

UNITY CAN BE FUN

Youngsters of the Friday Unity Night in the Neighborhood were still getting used to their new digs following the ribbon-cutting event.

Diocese mulls bankruptcy after sexual abuse settlements

By ROSE ALBANO RISSO

Non-profit benefactors of PG&E embrace rate hike

STOCKTON – Non-profits in and around San Joaquin County are appreciative of the money that San Francisco-based PG&E has given out to them over the years.

SJ County Fair opens 5-day run Wednesday

STOCKTON – The San Joaquin County Fair is back after a brief run this past fall.

Manteca murder mystery

It was a long unsolved missing person's murder "cold case" that covered more than two decades until police were tipped off last month that skeletal evidence was buried in or around Manteca. The grave of a missing Stockton woman is yielding clues to a murder mystery that began with the disappearance of Karen Michelle Sterzl, 36, in December of 1990, from a houseboat on the Tuleburg Levee that she shared in Stockton with Manteca upholstery ...

Twin tunnels: Death knell for Delta farming?

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta could become saltier if the state builds the two massive diversion tunnels Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed to supply water to the Central Valley and Southern California. And if that occurs, it could lay waste to $560 million of San Joaquin County's annual farm production of $2.2 billion. Water with high salt content ultimately renders soil toxic to Delta farm crops. Once fertile soil laden with salts - either intentionally or ...

Lathrop may go solar to counter PG&E costs

LATHROP - Could hedging power costs end up saving taxpayers a bundle? It all depends upon where electricity costs do over the course of the next three decades. Last week the Lathrop City Council heard a proposal by a solar energy firm that could eventually lead to an overhaul of the way that the municipality pays for its electricity. They would shun the standard PG&E model and go instead with an extensive solar power system ...

MUSD provides free meals to 2,000 plus kids

Zimmerman’s attorney walks tight line in defense in shooting of teen

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - George Zimmerman's lead attorney will be walking a fine line as he tries to convince jurors that his client didn't murder Trayvon Martin: He needs to show why Zimmerman felt threatened by the African-American teenager while avoiding the appearance that either he or his client is racist.

Comcast buffs up guides for Internet age

WASHINGTON (AP) - After years of making money providing Internet service, cable TV companies are now tapping the power of the Internet to improve clunky program guides that are a relic of the 1990s.

Digital music service expected from Apple

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Apple is expected to reveal a digital radio service and changes to the software behind iPhones and iPads today as the company opens its annual conference for software developers.

Heat at graduation sends five to hospital

LOOMIS (AP) - At least 15 people suffered heat exhaustion and heat stroke at an outdoor graduation ceremony in Placer County, which saw record-breaking temperatures and conditions that posed extreme fire danger on Saturday, authorities said.

BART official paid $330K for not working

OAKLAND (AP) - A top official for the agency that manages the San Francisco Bay Area's BART system earned more than $330,000 last year - even though she didn't work a single day for the public transit agency, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Japanese troops train on Calif. beach

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Japanese troops will converge on California's southern coast in the next two weeks as part of a military exercise with U.S. troops aimed at improving that country's amphibious attack abilities.