SANTA AT BASS PRO SHOPS

Santa's Wonderland at the Manteca Bass Pro Shops opened Saturday and runs through Dec. 24. Kids can get a free photo with Santa plus make free crafts.

1919: Mayor Cowell resigns due to ill health

Snow, tubing, & fun in Lathrop

LATHROP – There's several inches of snow on the ground in Lathrop and it's going to stay there until at least March.

Bay Meadows Park name may honor Bobette & Charlie Giles

Bay Meadows Park adjoining the Boys & Girls Club could be renamed in honor of the late Bobette and Charlie Giles.

Move afoot to stop future state raids on local money

California voters in November 2010 may be asked to vote for a ballot measure that significantly curtails the state's ability to borrow or simply take money from cities and counties in order to cover state budget deficits.

Replacing Ripon bus pass will now cost $1

RIPON - The number of Ripon Unified students losing their bus passes – 24 in just two weeks – has raised concerns among the school district administration. Passes had been initiated in mid-October because of the troubled economy's affect on the schools' budget.

Patriotic songs set the standard during Manteca Idol

Sometimes there's a place for glitz, glamour, and glitter.

Board recognizing students earning prefect STAR scores

Trustees of the Manteca Unified School District on Tuesday will recognize students who achieved perfect 600 scores in the California Standards Test.

Breast health care at Doctors Hospital results in ‘excellent’ accreditation status

A "Center of Excellence" status has been awarded to Doctors Hospital of Manteca for its level of breast care given to its patients.

Rehearsals this Sunday for ‘The Messiah’

RIPON - The Ripon Oratorio Society will be celebrating the Christmas season with the 64th presentation of Handel's Messiah on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, 4th & Orange Streets in Ripon.

Second car wash theft suspect identified at high school

The second teen-age suspect in Thursday's theft of a tip box at the Kiwki-Kleen Car Wash and convenience store in the 700 block of East Yosemite Avenue was located at his high school Friday morning.

Ripon schools told of need to upgrade computer network

RIPON - The 10 to 12-year-old network that connects all of Ripon Unified School District's computer operations was described as being obsolete this week by Jerry Springer, director of Internet Technology for the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

Raymus Foundation seeks grant applications

The Antone E. and Maire F. Raymus Foundation has applications available for local organizations seeking financial grants.

Odds and Ends

BUNDLING UP

Birth of baby at home is 220 shock

One Manteca man experienced what could be described as a "220 electrical shock."

Woodward Reservoir may close

Woodward Reservoir - a popular recreation area 16 miles northeast of Manteca - could close this summer in a bid by the South San Joaquin Irrigation District to conserve water.

Priest who fathered a son has yet to file laitization application

The first pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe who resigned as the spiritual head of St. Mary's Church in Stockton after he confessed to having fathered a child is yet to file papers that would relieve him of his priestly duties.

Businesses, clubs issue bowling challenges in bid to assist kids

There are at least six challengers in the works for this Saturday's bowl-a-thon being staged to help struggling children succeed in school.

The mother of all teardowns?

Manteca's highest profile home - the opulent 30,000-square-foot mansion built by grape broker Michael Hat - could become a high priced teardown.

Gearing up for 200-year flood

Get ready for a 200-year flood.

Former school sites proposed for 58 homes

Two parcels once set aside for elementary school sites may soon have the sound of nails being hammered to create 58 new homes.

Lathrop asking Uncle Sam for more money

LATHROP – It's simple logic.

Are dry years here to stay?

The South San Joaquin Irrigation District is guaranteed water - providing it snows in the Sierra.

DOUBLE JOY

It was a day of double joy for Dr. George Veldstra, M.D.

Roast, fund-raiser for Jeff Tilton on March 7

The Manteca Transit Center at Moffat Boulevard and South Main Street in Manteca is the setting for the Roast of Jeff Tilton, a candidate for San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools in June's primary elections.

Friends remember Olympic torch relay in 1964

It's Winter Olympics time. And while the world's eyes may be focused on Sochi, Bob Steves and Tom Osborn's memories are flying back to the 1964 summer Tokyo Olympics.

FOR THEIR SWEETHEARTS

Herman and Ann Howard have been married for 50 years. Ann professes to know the reason behind their marital success. In a word: surprise - especially those that are carefully planned and then presented with a generous mixture of thoughtfulness and love on Valentine's Day.

Farmers say Obama plan won’t help deal with drought

LOS BANOS (AP) - Farmers in California's drought-stricken Central Valley said the financial assistance President Barack Obama delivered on his visit Friday does not get to the heart of California's long-term water problems.

Nurses, seniors picket Manteca Kaiser hospital

Kaiser Don't Break Our Hearts.