Catholics forgo peace handshake due to concerns over H1N1 flu

"Just nodding or smiling" during the sign of peace handshake at mass is sufficient – if you feel you might be getting the flu, some 3,000 members of St. Anthony's Catholic Church were told by priests at this weekend's six religious services from Saturday night through Sunday night.

Ray of Hope’s goal: Gifts for needy kids

Ray of Hope is kicking off its ninth annual Christmas Guardian Angels program this week. The event that grants wishes to hundreds of local needy youngsters via the Christmas Guardian Angels Scroll program is getting an early jump. "Normally the agency starts the program after Thanksgiving," said Ray of Hope executive director Laura Vieira. "But this year, a decrease in participation (of donors) has been a concern due to the economic woes many face." Some ...

Manteca beefs up Click It or Ticket

Make sure everyone in the family gets home safely this holiday season by buckling your seat belt every trip, day and night. That's the message that the Manteca Police Department and Lathrop Police Services are telling drivers as part of the 2009 holiday Click or Ticket mobilization now in effect through Nov. 30.

City coordinates discounts for Manteca vehicle buyers

Workers at some of Manteca's largest firms are getting a little extra in their upcoming paychecks - $500 off on a new vehicle.

HELPING HANDS MINISTRY

Ag experts hope to stop moth’s spread in Manteca

California is the promised land for the light brown apple moth. The state has a Mediterranean -style climate, a smorgasbord of fruit and vegetable crops, ornamental and native plants that fit its dietary needs and – perhaps most important – no natural enemies. The pest is native to Australia and has successfully invaded New Zealand, the British Islands, New Caledonia, and Hawaii. The United States Department of Agriculture considers it highly likely the moth will ...

Yellow jackets & wasps, oh my

LATHROP – The City of Lathrop has launched a campaign to educate residents on what to do with the recent invasion of wasps and yellow jackets in the Mossdale area.

Manteca High grads star on cable outdoor sports show

RIPON – Carl Dunbar is no stranger to living the life of the outdoor sportsman. And now the Manteca High grad is sharing his love for hunting and fishing with more than 200,000 viewers on the show that he produces with fellow Manteca High grad Jerry Walser and friend Brian Stevens on Comcast Sportsnet California with viewership in California, Nevada, and Oregon. It's a big step for three guys who love the outdoors and figured ...

SCOUTING FOOD DRIVE

Manteca area Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts conducted their annual Scouting for Food Drive on Saturday.

Lathrop skate park competition a success

LATHROP – It wasn't that long ago that the thought of holding a skate competition at the Lathrop Skate Park seemed crazy.

1929: Parallel parking in downtown

90 years ago November 21, 1919 The office of postmaster for Manteca is not very attractive, judging from the civil service examination held last Wednesday to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Dryden. Only three persons presented themselves at Modesto and wrote the examination. 80 years ago November 21, 1929 A change in the system of parking automobiles on Yosemite Avenue and Main Street is being made this week under ...

Attic fire leaves couple homeless

RIPON - An attic fire left a Ripon couple homeless shortly before 2 p.m. Friday in an exclusive neighborhood near the Spring Creek Country Club.

Does SSJID plan make sense? It’ll cost $200K for study to find out

Who knows what they're talking about – PG&E or South San Joaquin Irrigation District?

Snow report: Lathrop tubing season opens

LATHROP - It was tough to determine what was brighter - the twinkle in 4-year-old Carlos Jimenez' eyes or the snow piled 18 inches deep on Mt. Dell'Osso.

Mt. Dell’Osso: It’s tubular fun, dude

Toss aside the Wii. Forget Space Mountain. This is the real deal, well except for the snow. It's manmade.

Ripon bus routes blossoming

Coreen Kirk is a recent rider of the Blossom Express.

Ready to build on the Island

After 24 years of planning and investing more than $250 million to create super levees, building a state-of-the-art school, securing water and sewer, establishing a government-owned low-cost electricity service, constructing the first river crossing in more than 50 years River Islands at Lathrop will finally see the first of 10,800 homes built.

Families hoard cash 5 years after crisis

NEW YORK (AP) - Five years after U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed, triggering a global financial crisis and shattering confidence worldwide, families in major countries around the world are still hunkered down, too spooked and distrustful to take chances with their money.

Chris Creek brings country music to main stage

Chris Creek has no illusions that he's going to end up on Music Row.

JROTC will present colors for Raiders

The Weston Ranch JROTC program's pinnacle moment was nearly dashed by, of all things, Major League Baseball.

No schools for Tesoro or Union Ranch?

A Manteca developer is interested in acquiring two vacant sites owned by the Manteca Unified School District.