Without major aerial display Ripon fire officials fear the worst

RIPON – The once majestic community fireworks display held the last several years at Mistlin Park is just another casualty in the budget crisis that is forcing cities to cut even their most popular programs in order to save staff.

MOVIES IN THE PARK MOVIES IN THE PARK SATURDAY

'Indiana Jones' is the featured presentation this Saturday, July 4, during Movies in the Park at Woodward Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. followed at 6 p.m. by live music. The movie starts at around 9 p.m. There is a $1 charge for those 12 and over to help cover city costs. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and jackets. Mosquito repellent is also suggested. The movies are being presented by DeCristo Productions.

Braata on stage today at BLD celebration

Braata, a local Reggae Rock band, will start the entertainment at the Manteca Independence Day Celebration today at 4 p.m., at the Big League Dreams sports complex.

Manteca housing in a tight squeeze

Lisa Stallings has concerns about the Manteca housing market.

Lathrop’s 20th birthday low key but big in a small-town way

LATHROP – No fireworks lit up the evening sky. No long lines waited for free hot dogs being barbecued by community volunteers. And there was no band playing patriotic songs during the five-hour Picnic in the Park celebration Tuesday evening.

Turning up the heat on fire hazards

A three-year-long plea to have dry weeds cleared from behind their properties in Camellia Gardens has apparently fallen on deaf ears, said retired CHP officer Ed Estes.

Police Academy an eye-opener for teens

The first day of the Target "E" Junior Police Academy may have been an eye-opener for some 18 local junior high school students.

Fireworks booths enjoy brisk business

Charles Henry Jr. couldn't help but take in the massive variety of safe-and-sane fireworks that were on display at the stand outside of the Manteca Historical Society.

Texas 4000 to present program tonight at Manteca Presbyterian

The Manteca Presbyterian Church will be hosting a group of 25 bicyclists from Austin, Texas, tonight during their stop-over in the Family City on their way to Anchorage, Alaska.

CORRECTION

Parade, celebration, fireworks Friday

Independence Day celebrations in Manteca come a day early this year as part of a municipal strategy to avoid over $10,000 in holiday overtime costs for public safety personnel and street crews.

A SIGN OF THE TIMES

Jim Funsten is impressed.

Lathrop’s 20th birthday bash tonight

LATHROP – It will be a quiet 20th birthday for the City of Lathrop today.

Lathrop man’s real home-grown business

Duane Aul didn't have an endless supply of rows to plant his crops.

Big Dan’s hosting 50 bicyclists from Texas for dinner on Thursday

LATHROP – Lathrop will be playing host to the group of Texas students who are taking part in the 70-day cancer-awareness bicycle ride to Alaska during their stop-over in Manteca on Thursday.

Manteca home values up $66,750

The value of existing Manteca homes rebounded 35.4 percent during 2013 with the median selling price jumping $66,750.

PIONEER DESCENDANT

Almost every Tuesday morning, Ron Howe volunteers his time and service to the Manteca Historical Museum.

Upgrades for tennis courts get approval

Manteca's tennis courts are getting upgrades.

Atheists, freethinkers gathering at Manteca Library

David Diskin doesn't want to offend anybody.

Two men escape car fire

Two Manteca men in their early 20s survived a flash fire in their 1996 Chevy Lumina Monday afternoon as it was parked in a rural dirt driveway on Peach Avenue west of Union Road shortly before 2 p.m.

Ernie’s chef back on TV

Top Chef launched chef Michael Midgley's star as a small-town cook with big-league potential.

Mayor: Time to step up water conservation

Manteca Mayor Willie Weatherford wants the city staff to start taking steps to reduce water waste now and not later.

Library town halls set in South County cities

What are the immediate and long-term library needs of Lathrop, Manteca, and Ripon?

There are 25 days left to donate

When Jennifer Munoz came up with the idea for trying to raise $3,000 to overhaul Santa's Downtown Manteca home, she knew it was going to be a long shot.