SSJID helps farmers weather droughts

It's ironic, in a way, that South San Joaquin Irrigation District is celebrating its 100th anniversary as California enters a third year of drought.

Members sought for new Lathrop Lions Club

LATHROP – Wanted: A few good men and women in Lathrop and surrounding area. Twenty, to be exact.

Hollywood Video brings joy to kids at county shelter

FRENCH CAMP – Friday afternoon was a belated Christmas at the Mary Graham Children's Shelter.

Waters serving as interim chief

Kirk Waters is Manteca's interim fire chief.

Manteca author plans book signing on Saturday

Kim Laruta was overwhelmed the first time she saw the finished product of "That Sister of Mine."

Manteca Rec may add organized dodge ball play

When it comes to planning the programs that residents turn to in their spare time, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Toni Lundgren is all ears.

A Week in Photos

Dance Stars performs at Kings game

The Sacramento Kings had their biggest game for the season on Dec. 28 when they played the World Champions Boston Celtics. Not only was the game a sell out, but also Olympian Michael Phelps was in attendance to receive his key to Sacramento, his own Kings jersey, and even got to sit courtside to see Manteca's Dance and Cheer Stars.

‘When We Were Colored’ author at Ripon Library

Ripon Library is going to host a unique black author in February - she is blind and in her 90s. She started writing because she "wanted to inspire people and make them feel good."

Teddy bear valentine tea at Ripon Branch Library

RIPON - What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with a friend who cares about you every day of the year: your Teddy Bear!

Haven of Peace shelter’s second annual crab feed set for Jan. 31

FRENCH CAMP - The Haven of Peace emergency/homeless shelter will be hosting their 2nd Annual "Coming Out of Our Shell" Crab Feed Fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 31. This year's proceeds will benefit the Haven's "day-to-day" operations so they may continue to offer a 'safe haven' to those in need in the community.

Knights Ferry & the Stanislaus River

KNIGHTS FERRY - It's a magical time along the Stanislaus River.

Sierra Railroad offers sunsets, mystery, & dinner

OAKDALE - The Sierra Railroad Dinner Train offers the romance of good old-fashioned rail travel.

OUT FOR A SPIN

It was a rare sight - a goggle wearing, thrill seeking police canine riding in the sidecar of a Russian motorcycle on Ripon streets over the weekend.

New Shasta Park playground big hit with kids

Hundreds of youngsters had fun under the sun on the new playground equipment at Shasta Park over the three-day weekend.

$1.9M Louise project this summer

Work on a $1.9 million project to make two miles of Louise Avenue more conducive to pedestrians and bicyclists while enhancing the looks of the east-west corridor with start this summer.

GOING HOLLYWOOD

Marshall Magincalda stood in the front of his Woodward Avenue ranchette and gazed at the dozens of people buzzing around his property as if it were normal.

He’s helped folks keep their cool for 20 years

Frank Warren is a busy man.

Move afoot to restore librarians

Mary Buchanan is not a certificated Manteca Unified teacher librarian. But she is working hard to convince district officials "to consider returning the teacher librarian positions to each of the high schools." Those positions were among the victims of the budget cuts that were made during the Great Recession.

Donations allow man to keep foot

A Manteca man who suffered a compound fracture above his ankle during a river accident and faced amputation will get to keep his left foot.

Powwow ends three-day run in Manteca

Orena Monahan once again enjoyed her three-day stay at the Fourth of July Powwow at the Three Rivers Lodge in Manteca.

ONE SWEET LIFE

"Coach" is still swinging for the bleachers.

ADA lawsuit: The $32,000 parking stall

There's a potential $32,000 pay day in Manteca for someone trying to make a living by filing Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits for alleged non-compliance to federal rules.

8 MUSD schools gearing up for latest technology

If everything goes according to plan, eight elementary schools in Manteca Unified will be fully wired for 21st-century technology connection by September.

Manteca parade offers Independence Day fun

It wasn't exactly the fictional Wagon Queen Family Truckster from National Lampoon Vacation.

5 nurses start internships at Doctors Hospital

Five graduate nurses picked from a field of 187 applicants were welcomed into Doctors Hospital's six-month-long Versant internship program at a noon luncheon on Wednesday in the DHM conference room.

PATRIOTIC PARADE

Today's Manteca Independence Day Parade will feature over 34 entries to the theme of "Traveling the USA."

Pay raises for city workers in new budget

There's money for pay raises in Manteca's $30.1 million general fund spending plan for the next 12 months.

Independence booms stress some veterans

They've been known to drive dogs crazy.

Fireworks unnerve dogs, officials warn

Pet stores are offering sedation pills to calm dogs during the booming July 4th fireworks, according to Manteca Animal Control Officer Les Rowe.