Fees to build ‘typical’ home: $40K

What does it cost to build a typical tract home south of the Highway 120 Bypass in Manteca?

Library Park project still waiting on utility lines

It's been seven years in the making and the city is ready to go and has the money but the biggest part of the Library Park expansion still hasn't gotten underway.

Making room for new Old Town park

LATHROP – The three young visitors were oblivious to the cold. And their enthusiasm was in sharp contrast to the gloomy, overcast sky as they practiced their flying and grinding tricks on the challenging courses of the state-of-the-art Lathrop Skate Park.

Blossom queen hopeful eyes nursing career

RIPON – Sarah Ambrose had plenty of places to turn to in order to find out what it was like to be a part of the Almond Blossom Queen Court.

ODDS & ENDS

The Bypass/99 woodlands

Federal stimulus money can be a beautiful thing.

100 workers using interest free city loans for computers

Almost 40 percent of Manteca's 260 municipal workers take advantage of the city's interest-free loan program to secure computers for their personal use.

Lathrop Library gets OK

LATHROP – A new Teen Center, a Lathrop Branch Library, an outdoor stage plus an art walk are within visual distance of Lathrop residents.

Blues revue plays Chez Shari venue this Saturday

Nat Bolden and his State of Mind Jazz and Blues Band have made a name for themselves with regular monthly performances at San Francisco's famed Lou's Pier 47 Restaurant and Blues Club.

St. Anthony’s celebrates 2010 with CAPS clients

Consumers from the Manteca Community Action Program and Services look forward to the annual luncheons put together by Sister Ann Venita Britto and her Ministry of Caring.

Rotary: service, fellowship & teasing

There is so much behind the gavel possession of a Rotary president – Dana Solomon of the Thursday noon lunch bunch knows that only too well.

Globetrotters to promote education at upcoming Stockton Arena show

The Magicians of basketball return to San Joaquin County for another entertaining exhibition of hoops.

Willie Brown speaking at Modesto JC MLK event

MODESTO – Willie Lewis Brown, Jr., two-term mayor of San Francisco and longest-serving speaker of the California State Assembly (1980 – 1995), will provide the keynote address entitled "How Martin Helped Shape My Life" at the community-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration to be held Friday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Modesto Junior College Auditorium.

Almond Blossom dinner ticket deadline

RIPON - The Ripon Chamber of Commerce is holding their 48th Annual Almond Blossom Kick Off and Tribute Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Ripon Community Center, 334 Fourth Street at 6 p.m.

IN UNIFORM

Carilynn Keeney

THE DAIRY GRIND

Here's yet another sign of the times. The demise of family-owned dairy farm operations. In many cases, the dairy farm has been handed down from one generation to the next.

SSJID: LAFCo hinders effort for cheap power

By JASON CAMPBELL

City motel tax going before Lathrop voters

LATHROP – Last year Lathrop collected $350,000 in hotel taxes.

California milk meets global demand

There is a good reason these days why California has happy cows, as touted in the Milk Advisory Board-backed television advertising. It's the same reason that could put a happy smile on the faces of dairy farmers in the Golden State.

THRIVING AGAINST ALL ODDS

If you wait for your dad's shoes, you'll wait all your life.

It’s a never-ending cycle of work at the dairy

The day started at 5 a.m. for the Curnejo family. Jaime and wife Velma, and their older children, were up before the break of dawn – winter, spring, summer and fall. No fail. They had nearly 200 cows to milk in the barn.

SWEET LABOR OF LOVE

These are busy days at the FESM Hall in Manteca.

New norm: Exceptional drought?

It's been 14 years since the United States drought monitor went into effect.

Host families sought for Japanese teens

Thirty young Japanese students are looking for host families this summer. They will be arriving on July 26 and will be in Manteca until Aug 26. During that time, the students who are between the ages of 13 and 17, will be attending classes to be held at St. Mary of the Virgin Anglican Church at the corner of Cottage and Louise avenues in Manteca.

Levee fix: $2.58M just to start

LATHROP – There hasn't been a dam failure in Northern California for almost half a century.

HEADLINING FOR LAUGHS

He's been on one of the most beloved American comedy series' of all time.

Manteca plan aims for 20% water cutback

You will reduce your water use.

Police sobriety patrol yields no DUI arrests

Several dozen cars stopped.

Movie aimed at teens wrestling with depression

A wrestling scene was filmed Wednesday in the Manteca High gym for a movie designed to help teens grappling with depression.

Tunnels toxic to SJ County

STOCKTON - The Twin Tunnels – if built – will raise havoc with the Delta and cripple San Joaquin County's economy.