ODDS & ENDS

Waters answers the call

It was an unexpected call for service.

Walkup Films grinds out ‘B’ movie trailer

Jon Walkup sees just about everything through the perspective of his viewfinder.

Skateboard contest in Lathrop Nov. 7

LATHROP – Local skateboarders aren't going to have to venture very far to enjoy a little competition.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph slam South County

Traffic along the western portion of the Highway 120 Bypass looked surreal all day Tuesday as strong gusty winds kicked up tons of dust from nearby arid fields, enshrouding vehicles that looked like ghostly moving figures.

Collins finds pumpkin in Bulletin contest at Yosemite & Main

Curt Collins has a confession to make to his wife.

Senior center hosts veterans appreciation

Members of the Manteca Senior Center Advisory committee are set to pay tribute to veterans from the community at a special gathering of former service men and women at the Manteca Senior Center Thursday at 4 p.m.

ODD & ENDS

Boys & Girls facing more cut backs

The weak economy is both a blessing and a curse for the Boys & Girls Club of Manteca/Lathrop.

Good time to fall in love with foothills

SONORA – New England does not have the monopoly when it comes to dramatic and colorful fall foliage at this time of the year.

CHP handing out info packets to truckers using Spreckels Park

The California Highway Patrol commercial officers say they are not handing out tickets to truckers off route with illegally long trailers – only giving drivers prepared educational packets to get the word out.

Caltrans 120/Yosemite configuration isn’t OK for larger trucks

Manteca is waiting on word from Caltrans that the new interchange the state designed for Yosemite Avenue and Highway 99 some 20 years after federal laws for truck trailers changed so they can proceed with improvements necessary to avoid truckers accessing Spreckels Park from getting tickets.

Ex-fire chief apologizes for Snyder remarks

LATHROP – Former Lathrop-Manteca Fire Chief Jerry Sims has publicly apologized for comments he made about former Manteca city councilman Jack Snyder during a recent Lathrop City Council meeting.

ROP class staging Safe Halloween at Sequoia

The Health Occupation classes at Lindbergh School will be conducting a Safe Halloween at Sequoia School on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Sierra celebrating homecoming this week with tribute to music genres

Sierra High Goes on Tour.

Ripon working to secure ACE service

The City of Ripon has been working with the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission about the possibilities of locating an Altamont Commuter Express train stop near downtown.

Ripon seeks input in its search for superintendent

What are some of the qualities necessary for the next superintendent of the Ripon Unified School District?

Lathrop cut water use by 17% during 2014

Lathrop used 17 percent less water in 2014.

New homes paying for street lights

Buyers of homes in the 585-home Evans Estates neighborhood being developed south of Woodward Avenue will be less of a burden on the city's general fund that most of the existing 73,000 Manteca residents.

Bishop joins Santo Nino fest set for St. Anthony

A concelebrated mass in observance of the feast of the Santo Nino will be held at 11 a.m. this Saturday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Manteca.

Sunrise Kiwanis celebrating milestone by giving $18K

Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis is celebrating Kiwanis International's 100 Year Anniversary on Thursday, Jan. 22, by hosting a "Community Night of Giving" at the Manteca Senior Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Over $18,000 will be distributed to local organizations.

Speeding in Manteca

The freeway that runs east-west in Manteca isn't the 120 Bypass - at least that's what some folks contend.

BALLOON FEST DEFLATED

Ripon's hot air balloon and kite festival known as "Color the Skies" may be over.

Manteca OKs car wash on Airport Way

Manteca may soon have an 11th car wash.

Burglaries down, auto thefts on rise in Lathrop

On paper, you were more likely to have your car stolen in Lathrop through the first 11 months of 2014 but less likely to be the victim of a burglary.

Friday deadline for Going Digital contracts

Parents and guardians of Manteca Unified School District students have until Friday to submit signed copies of the Student Computer Equipment Agreement for the Going Digital program.

Quilt raffle will help aid family of injured soldier

Two Manteca quilters are piecing together a patriotic-themed quilt to help the Manteca soldier who was seriously injured in a drunken driving crash on Jan. 1.

JANUARY IS TOO DRY

The next six weeks will determine the severity of California's fourth year of drought.

Gas hits $2.23 at 3 Manteca fuel stations

Martha Landon used to dread pulling her GMC Yukon XL up to the gas pump.

Five die in crash in heavy fog

Five people from two vehicles died Tuesday in the heavy early morning fog on Van Allen Road at Highway 4 in eastern San Joaquin County, according to CHP spokesman James Smith.