WILD WET WEATHER

Organizers of this weekend's Ripon Almond Blossom Festival are not the only the ones keeping busy as bees in the snow-white orchards.

3 in 10 caught in foreclosures are renters

Angie and Alfie Galan have lived in their Manteca home since May.

Ex-Chief: Spend party money on community

LATHROP – The $3,500 that would have been spent to cater a recognition dinner for former Police Chief Dolores Delgado may instead benefit a number of community programs at her request.

14 years for shooting at Manteca homeowner

William David Wood, 24, was sentenced to 14 years in state prison Tuesday in San Joaquin County Superior Court after pleading guilty to one count of assault with a firearm and an enhancement of using a firearm during commission of a felony.

ALMOND BLOSSOM PHOTOS

Some residents took the opportunity over the weekend to take some photographs of the Almond Blossoms in bloom

Ripon physician coordinates food packets for Haiti

RIPON - Ripon's Dr. Kent Hufford, M.D. returned from Haiti this week confident that his humanitarian medical team had made a difference in their trip to Haiti.

SSJID starting irrigation season March 19

Water could start running through South San Joaquin Irrigation District ditches to South County farmers on March 19.

Lathrop Relay For Life kick-off event tonight

LATHROP – The Lathrop Relay for Life kick-off event will be held tonight starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Holiday Inn Hotel, 15688 S. Harlan Road in Lathrop. Light refreshments will be served.

Former publisher’s arraignment March 9

The San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office filed a lone misdemeanor charge of sexual battery Tuesday against former Manteca Bulletin publisher Paul Mahony, 54.

Senior Brown Bag signup information

There will be sign ups to receive the Senior Brown Bag on one day only – Wednesday, March 3, – from 10 a.m. to noon at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane.

ODDS & ENDS

Hasta la vista, bonus bucks?

The days of free-flowing bonus bucks – up to $17,000 charged on each new tract home built in Manteca – may be ending.

Residents fear yet another costly Lathrop city lawsuit

LATHROP – Dan Doyle said he did not want Lathrop to spend another half a million dollars to settle a lawsuit.

Impound fees could cost $150 for your dog

LATHROP – Lathrop pet owners can expect to double the impound fees and penalties that they are now paying for their dogs and cats or other animals.

Second senior brown bag starting up on March 3

Low-income seniors can get help with their groceries.

Salazar tops DA race

Deputy District Attorney and Chief Prosecutor Tori Verber Salazar led Gary Hickey in the race for San Joaquin County District Attorney Tuesday night at press time.

Denham faces Eggman in November

Turlock small business owner Michael Eggman will challenge Jeff Denham for his 10th Congressional District seat in November.

Olsen has commanding Assembly lead

It might have been California's first truly open primary.

Happy Wheelers are among those not happy with ADA driven Manteca lawsuits

Farm fresh fruits and vegetables weren't the only things on the menu at the Manteca Farmer's Market on Tuesday

HITTING THE WATER

Interested in scuba diving? Curious about what lifeguard training involves? Want to swim laps for exercise? Need to learn how to swim? Or do you just want to splash around and have fun?

Fear of ADA lawsuit forces business to lock its doors

John Perez is afraid.

In Uniform

Raymond Osteria

Sisters serve simultaneous LDS missions

Sarah Sokolowski and her sister, Amanda, are currently serving as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, though they are across the continent from each other.

Council may ask Congress to reform ADA lawsuits

Manteca's elected leaders want businesses to have the opportunity to correct shortcomings in their compliance to the American Disability Act before being sued.

FARMERS MARKETS GALORE

California is considered the world's Mecca when it comes to variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Demonstrating flag-retirement protocol

When a flag of the United States is worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled, it needs to be replaced with a new one. When that happens, the old flag is "retired."

Lathrop garbage rates may go up

LATHROP – Garbage rates are going up.

Rodeo this weekend helps with kids tutoring

Give Every Child a Chance is staging the Xtreme Bulls & Broncs Rodeo on the River fundraiser on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8 from noon to 5 p.m. both days at Dell'Osso Family Farm in Lathrop just off Interstate 5.