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Archive By Section - Local Columns


The inexcusable gestation period for a crosswalk project in Manteca

How long does it take for the City of Manteca to put in a crosswalk? The answer to that question might come this Tuesday, but don't count on it. It's been 25 months since Manteca's elected leaders approved placing a crosswalk across the wide speedway known as Woodward Avenue. It was a decision the council in April of 2011 said they made so kids would have a greater margin of safety going to and from ...

April 13, 2013 | | Local Columns


KICKING FOR A CURE

Justin Coenenberg knew only what he had gathered second-hand – that Riley Simmons was a first-rate 9-year-old.

April 11, 2013 | James Burns | Local Columns


Manteca safety: Here’s 5,000 or so pennies a year for your thoughts

Pennies are rather worthless things when they standalone. They collect like dust bunnies in cars, desks, and jars. Many times we don't even take pennies when getting change for a purchase. Instead we nonchalantly toss them into a container on the counter for someone else to use to complete a transaction. Many of us don't believe it is worth the bother to wrap them in 50 cent rolls and take them to the bank. So ...

April 10, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Teens show how indomitable spirit conquers all

Siblings Weley and Wendy Lin did not speak a word of English when they started school in first grade. Mandarin was the only language they knew. Their parents did not understand English either, so the young girls didn't have the luxury of receiving any help at home with their homework.

April 10, 2013 | Rose Albano-Risso | Local Columns


Call it the ‘close- a-school-&-make- Ripon-Unified- even-better’ plan

It's not every day parents – even if they are educators – suggest to a school board they should close a school especially when all are performing more than decently on state test scores.

April 10, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Now if only my IQ could match the phone I use

My IQ just dropped. It's the risk you take when buying a phone that's smarter than you – a lot smarter. I've been using a flip phone for the last six years. To those under 25, it was as if I were lugging around one of the old wall crank phones. You know the technology you have is about three centuries old when those just barely out of puberty refer to it politely as "old ...

April 08, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Healthcare cost battle: Switching sticks for carrots

Get ready for the real healthcare crisis. A growing number of firms are being nailed with rising health insurance expenses. The consulting firm of Towers Watson projects corporate spending on health care will average $12,136 per employee this year. Firms that for years have tried soft sell approaches to get their workers to take personal responsibility for their health through offers of reduced gym memberships and such are now getting employees' attention with money. They ...

April 08, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Sheriffs vowing to ignore the law is a scary trend

The next time someone takes an oath of office they might want to read the first 15 words in the constitution they're swearing to uphold.

April 06, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Mom never tried to cash in her chips for anything

"Dancing With the Stars" has lost one its biggest fans. Late last month at the age of 96 my mother passed away.

April 05, 2013 | By DAVE CAMPBELL Local columnist | Local Columns


High speed rail folks sue me & you & a dog named Boo

The $68 billion train wreck in the making – California High Speed Rail – continues rumbling down the tracks with all of the subtlety of General Sherman's march to the sea.

April 05, 2013 | | Local Columns


So what is it? Jobs, jobs, jobs or houses, houses, houses?

There's an election for mayor coming up in less than two years. Given that Manteca has a 12.8 percent unemployment rate - that's higher than Lathrop's by the way - one of the central issues should be jobs. Or to quote former Mayor Carlon Perry as Manteca was struggling to come out of the previous recession in the early 1990s, the issue is "jobs, jobs, jobs." "Jobs, jobs, jobs" wasn't on the mind of the ...

April 04, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Stockton attains real world All America City status

Stockton is a two-time All America City recipient. Just three years after its last All America City honor, Stockton led the nation in foreclosures. Smirk all you want. While the awards are often full of more fluff than substance, Stockton today would qualify as a real All America City as opposed to the glamour contest version offered by the National Civic League. Unlike the version you preen for and send in an application with check ...

April 02, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Brother, can you spare a dollar store?

There was a time when there was a gas station on every corner. Then it seemed like banks were multiplying faster than rabbits. And now the trend is the so-called dollar stores. Manteca's fifth dollar store - and second Dollar General - is getting ready to open at Powers and Yosemite avenues. They seem to be popping up in Manteca with the same intensity as pizza parlors, nail salons, and check cashing places. It reflects ...

April 02, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Getting ready for egg-citing time today

Miniature chocolates mixed with taffy collect in piles on table tops, waiting to be stuffed into eggs.

March 30, 2013 | James Burns | Local Columns


To those who are 20: Life gets better, a lot better

There's only one gift I want as I turn 57. That's being able to make a 20-year-old understand life does get better. A lot better. It can be frustrating finding a job and then struggling to make ends meet. At the same time you worry about what others think of you and are terrorized that you will never find love or lose the love that you have. Your heart and very soul at times seem ...

March 30, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


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Articles by Section - Local Columns


The winds have changed at 1001 W. Center St.

The City of Manteca has a new unofficial municipal motto: "This is the new norm."

May 23, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


7,000 crosses turn Woodward Park into hallowed ground

God and country.

May 22, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Gang of eight betrays Americans

The Gang of Eight immigration bill can be summed up as amnesty now, border closing never. The Department of Homeland Security is not required to build a fence (which was ordered by the Secure Fence Act signed by President George W. Bush). DHS is required only to submit a plan.

May 22, 2013 | By PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY National Columnist | Local Columns


The IRS and the big government- big media complex

Lie to the federal government and you'd better get you affairs in order.

May 21, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


To the Class of 2013: It’s all about attitude

Dear graduates:

May 18, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Library plans taken out of circulation

Manteca is celebrating an anniversary this year that is one for the books.

May 17, 2013 | | Local Columns


Congress shall make no law . . .

LATHROP – And I wondered why people don't trust the government.

May 16, 2013 | Jason Campbell | Local Columns


Kofa Mountains: A true summer adventure

Ripon – the community – possesses a wealth of heart-inspiring stories in the minds of its many highly respected senior citizens.

May 16, 2013 | Glenn Kahl | Local Columns


Perhaps Manteca should just say no to bonus bucks

It was the white lie of the last decade.

May 16, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Tim Cook is big benefactor of Apple picking

Shame on you, Tim Cook.

May 15, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


EPA mandates: Not too tasty but filling with fiber

The San Joaquin Valley's blessing is its curse.

May 14, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Moms’ greatest gift: Giving their kids the ability to love themselves

Mom didn't die.

May 11, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Soccer field battle offers glimpse of Manteca’s future

Imagine your kid playing on an aging soccer field.

May 09, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Shooting a hole in the debate over gun control

Here's a little nugget for those embroiled in the debate over gun control: Young men kill.

May 09, 2013 | Dennis Wyatt | Local Columns


Ammo sales & ‘The Obama Effect’

Almost four years ago, I wrote a column entitled "The Obama Effect" in which I described how fear and distrust of our then newly elected President created panic among our citizenry and that there were massive shortages of almost every kind of ammunition imaginable.

May 09, 2013 | By DON MOYER Outdoors Columnist | Local Columns


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