Lodi News-Sentinel
‘Our community has waited patiently’
A long-awaited step toward improving Parkin Memorial Park is now complete. The Lodi Unified School District voted 6-0 Tuesday night to transfer ownership of the park to San Joaquin County, clearing the way for the county Parks and Recreation...
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SJ County puts data centers on hold
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data centers as county staff begins researching how to regulate the facilities and their potential environmental impacts, particularly on the region’s...
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RIVALRY RENEWED
Below: Tokay and Lodi players shake hands after the coin toss before Tokay’s 48-23 victory over Lodi on Friday at the Grape Bowl. The game kicked off the football season for both teams, with Tokay looking for a second straight postseason, and Lodi...
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From golden to glitter: LOEL celebrates 50 years
A 50th anniversary has traditionally been known as the “golden” one. But the LOEL Senior Center is marking its milestone next month with diamonds, disco and the stylish sounds of the 1970s. The center will host “Disco & Diamonds” on Saturday, Sept....
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Jennings faces first challenger in eight years in Shah
Dr. Charles Jennings has represented Lodi and Galt on the San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees for eight years. Now, for the first time since he initially ran for the Area 4 seat, Jennings faces a challenger: Dr. Tony Shah. A Lodi resident,...
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Police shoot armed man
An armed man was shot by Lodi police officers Monday morning after officers responded to reports that he was threatening employees inside the McDonald’s restaurant on West Lodi Avenue, authorities said. The man was shot after officers entered the...
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Duncan enters race on fiscal, safety platform
Jordan Duncan was a last-minute entry into the Lodi City Council race, filing his candidacy papers Aug. 7 to challenge incumbent Lisa Craig-Hensley for the District 2 seat. The lifelong Lodian said he is seeking a seat on the council because he cares...
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Alexander wants to keep momentum in re-election bid
When Sherry Alexander first campaigned for the Area 3 seat on the Lodi Unified School District Board of Education, she asked an incumbent why they were seeking re-election. The incumbent told her that four years was not enough time to accomplish...
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Shifting into gear
In an effort to reduce loitering, property damage and vandalism, the City of Lodi is proposing new security measures at the downtown parking garage. The Lodi City Council on Wednesday will consider approving plans and specifications for security...
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Lodi looks to expand
The Lodi Planning Commission voted 5-0 Wednesday to submit a request to annex 95.3 acres west of Lower Sacramento Road to the San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission. The 20 parcels form an F-shaped area between Tokay Street to the north...
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Sandhu seeks third term on Galt City Council
GALT — When Paul Sandhu first ran for Galt City Council in 2018, he said there was a lack of transparency at City Hall. While he believes he and his fellow council members have brought greater transparency to the city, Sandhu said his work is not...
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Schoolhouse for sale
According to UbieHealth.com, falling asleep in class is a common occurrence that can be caused by lack of sleep, a boring or passive learning environment, or medical issues. But if you’re in the market for a new home, a Lodi-area residence for sale...
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Range of Possibilities
More than 30 years after the idea was first proposed, the Lodi Police Department broke ground Thursday on a new outdoor firearms training facility that officials say will improve officer safety while reducing training costs. The department held a...
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Lights, sirens, smiles
Hale Park was filled with residents, first responders and nonprofit organizations Tuesday as the community celebrated National Night Out. “It’s a great success,” Partners volunteer Larry Seiler said. “You can see all the community here, you can see...
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Classic view of Lodi
Hundreds of classic vehicles lined the streets of Downtown Lodi on Saturday during the 29th annual Stuck in Lodi Car Show, which featured nearly 300 entries. Proceeds from the event will be distributed to 10 local nonprofits. Brent Workman earned Best...
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ALL ABOARD
Round trip train service has officially returned to Lodi. The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority hosted passenger appreciation and ribbon cutting for Amtrak’s Gold Runner intercity rail service at the Downtown Lodi Transit Station Friday. The silver...
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Cornering the market
While a business owner waits for construction to be completed on new her digs, she has decided to use the space to bring more shopping opportunities to Downtown Lodi three days of the week. Gillian Washington recently purchased 116 N. School St. with...
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Bringing neighbors together
Hale Park will be filled with music, games and laughter next Tuesday as the community comes together to help fight crime with camaraderie. The Lodi Police Department is hosting its annual National Night Out Party from 5 to 8 p.m. at the park, which...
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‘Meaningful progress’
The number of unsheltered individuals in Lodi has declined significantly over the last two years, according to the latest results from a county-wide survey. The San Joaquin Continuum of Care released its official Point in Time count report Thursday,...
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Backpacked with love
Families filled the lawn outside Hutchins Street Square on Monday evening, waiting for a chance to pick up much-needed school supplies as students prepare to head back to the classroom this week. Love Lodi hosted its annual backpack giveaway,...
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Stockton ICE facility under scrutiny
WASHINGTON — Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, is again demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security about operations at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Stockton. Harder last week announced a new oversight...
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A new look at history
LODI — Restoration of the future Lodi Historical Museum has reached another milestone as crews began removing nearly a century of white paint from the building’s exterior, revealing the original brick beneath. The paint, believed to have been applied...
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Breaking ground to honor heroes
Wednesday marked an important milestone for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office as it broke ground on the Fallen Officer Memorial, dedicated to honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. It will serve as a...
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Bacteria linked to Legionnaires’ disease detected at Lodi office
Bacteria that can cause Legionnaires’ disease was detected last month in the tap water at a state office in Lodi, according to the Service Employees International Union Local 1000. The union issued a news release Thursday stating that water at the...
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Drone falls from sky
Residents near Lodi Lake got an unexpected visitor during their Fourth of July celebration when a large drone fell from the sky and crashed into a backyard. Ruben Hernandez said it was about 8 p.m. Saturday when he and friends noticed what they...
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A Milestone Fourth
America turned 250 last Saturday, and Lodi showed up ready to celebrate. They walked, they drove, they rolled up on bikes, many of them wearing flag shirts and other Americana. Lodi celebrates America’s 250th Food, friends, fun and fireworks — that...
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Lodi tourism spending tops $300 million
As the city of Lodi celebrates national recognition as a small town and drafts its economic development plan, recent numbers indicate its tourism industry shows no signs of slowing. Visit Lodi released its annual tourism impact report Thursday,...
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Room at the shelter
A Lodi woman who rescued a kitten stranded in a tree last week is searching for someone willing to adopt it after learning local animal shelters have no room to take it. Lori Hamann said she heard a kitten crying near her home and went outside to...
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Police seek suspect in fatal hit and run on Eight Mile Road
A fatal hit-and-run crash claimed the life of a bicyclist and two dogs sometime before authorities discovered the scene Saturday morning on Eight Mile Road south of Lodi. The California Highway Patrol said officers were dispatched at about 10:18 a.m....
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The end of an era
One of San Joaquin County’s bestknown real estate firms is closing its doors after more than 50 years in business. Stockton-based Grupe Real Estate recently announced that it is ending operations. “With heartfelt gratitude, Grupe Real Estate says...
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Therapy dogs give young readers a judgment-free audience at Lodi Library
Learning to read can be challenging, but children at the Lodi Public Library have an opportunity to practice with the help of therapy dogs. Paws to Read, held Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m., allows children to read aloud to certified therapy dogs in a...
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Celebrate America to strike first note of Lodi’s Fourth festivities
The Fourth of July holiday weekend will begin Wednesday, July 1 in Lodi when Hutchins Street Square hosts its annual Celebrate America event. Organized by the City of Lodi’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, the event begins at 5:30...
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Lodi’s Patriotic Party
There has been no word on what Parade Magazine has planned for Lodi’s Fourth of July at the Lake celebration next weekend, but the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department has released the schedule for the annual event. The department...
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Lodi Access Center on track for fall opening
After five years of planning and design, Lodi’s permanent access center is expected to open in the fall. During a presentation to the Lodi City Council last week, Neighborhood Services Manager Jennifer Rhyne said construction at the 710 N. Sacramento...
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‘Let’s go see Jimmy’
Jimmy’s, a new Italian-American supper club, will open Thursday, July 9, in the former home of Pietro’s at 317 E. Kettleman Lane. The restaurant is both a tribute to the Murdaca family’s restaurant legacy and a new chapter for the future, honoring...
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Mini golf sticker shock
STOCKTON — San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Ding on Tuesday questioned why the estimated cost of a proposed miniature golf course at Micke Grove Regional Park has grown dramatically since it was first approved three years ago. During discussions on...
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Father’s Day fun awaits
The Lodi Boathouse will offer kayaking excursions this Father’s Day weekend. Cooler temperatures are expected in the region for Father’s Day weekend, and several businesses and organizations have events planned that should help you enjoy the sun and...
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The ToasT of The CounTry
Lodi’s Fourth of July celebration will have a national spotlight this year. Parade magazine announced Monday that Lodi has been named the national winner of the “America’s Favorite Small Town 2026” competition. After a nationwide search that engaged...
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Lodi’s little giants
The Lodi Junior Giants kicked off their 13th season last weekend with an Opening Day ceremony at Tony Zupo Field. The event featured the national anthem performed by players Gabriel Arrendondo and Ele Miner, a ceremonial first pitch and a flyover...
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Vang takes lead, poses threat to Matsui
When polls closed on election night last week, Sacramento City Councilwoman Mai Vang and Woodbridge resident Zachairah Wooden were virtually tied for the coveted second spot in the primary race for California’s 7th Congressional District seat. Both...
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Shopping for last-minute World Cup tickets?
For all the talk of the high ticket prices to attend a World Cup match throughout the country in the coming weeks, the same trend is not continuing in the Bay Area. The five group-stage matches at Levi’s Stadium — which is being called the San...
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May the DeForce be with you
It’s official: In front of Lodi’s “Cycles of Suffrage” mural, City Councilwoman Lisa Craig-Hensley declared Aug. 17 of every year to be “Laura DeForce Gordon Day” in Lodi. Gordon, one of Lodi’s most famous residents, was a nationally known suffragist...
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S.J. Sheriff, DHS clash over suspect’s release
STOCKTON — San Joaquin County Sheriff Pat Withrow is disputing a claim by federal officials that his department failed to honor an immigration detainer request for a man accused of killing two women and an infant in Modesto last week. The Department...
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A Fresh Look Back
The San Joaquin County Historical Museum will celebrate the grand opening of its new Pioneer Village from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Micke Grove Park. Designed as an immersive history education space, Pioneer Village will become the new...
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Former city manager sues Lodi over public records access
The city of Lodi has been accused of violating California’s Public Records Act in a lawsuit filed by former City Manager Scott Carney. The Lodi City Council is scheduled to discuss the lawsuit during a closed session meeting June 3. According to a...
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Festa Italiana! returns to Lodi next weekend with music, food and more
The first week of June is almost here, and that means the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds will soon be transformed into the annual “sagra” showcasing all things Italy. The sagra — a local festival typically celebrating regional cuisine or honoring a...
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A shot in the arm
Lodi’s largest private employer celebrated a major milestone this week with the opening of a new warehouse on its Guild Avenue campus that will serve as a product preparation and distribution hub. Cepheid hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday for...
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From PTSD to pickling: Lodi vet launches business
What began as a “drunken dream” shared among friends has become reality for a Lodi veteran. The Lodi Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for PTSD Pickling at Parkwest Casino, marking the culmination of a 16year...
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Day of honor
Above: The Girl Scouts of America sing the national anthem during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at Lodi Memorial Cemetery. Left: The Lodi American Legion Post 22 Color Guard conducts the rifle volley during the ceremony.
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A show of respect
Rather than share his own experiences of his time in the U.S. Navy, Lodi resident Randy Renfro on Monday discussed ways the community could honor veterans and those who did not return home as part of their Memorial Day activities in the future. Renfro...
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GROWING THE FUTURE
When Tokay High School launched its FFA program 50 years ago, just 47 students were enrolled in the agricultural career program. The national organization, established in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, and then known as Future Farmers of America, had...
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The old stomping grounds
Seniors from Lodi-area high schools returned to their elementary schools this week for a day of reminiscing before walking across the stage and getting their diplomas in the coming weeks. They shared favorite memories and were cheered on by their...
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Ring of relief
St. Anne’s Catholic Church staff’s prayers were answered this week when its decades-old bell was returned. The bell was stolen from the church grounds last Thursday, and Lodi Police Department said it is actively pursuing leads to determine who the...
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New county services center to open in Lodi
For years, San Joaquin County Assessor-RecorderCounty Clerk Steve Bestolarides envisioned opening a satellite office in Lodi to give residents easier access to county services. That vision will become reality when the North County Government Center...
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Micke Grove Makeover
It’s been three years since San Joaquin County Parks announced plans to replace the Fun Town amusement park at Micke Grove Regional Park with a miniature golf course, and the project could finally tee off later this year. County Parks Administrator...
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MAPPING OUT THE FUTURE Downtown vision plan moves closer to approval
A long-awaited plan to guide the future of Downtown Lodi and surrounding neighborhoods is set to move forward next month after three years of development. The Lodi City Council on Wednesday will consider setting a public hearing for June 3 to approve...
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Former Newsom, Becerra aide pleads guilty in corruption probe
SACRAMENTO — A former top aide to Gov. Gavin Newsom pleaded guilty in Sacramento federal court Thursday to bank fraud, filing a false tax return and lying to the FBI in a corruption scandal that rattled California politics last fall and still threatens...
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Delta College ceremony kicks off graduation season
STOCKTON — San Joaquin Delta College is expecting its largest crowd during its 91st annual commencement ceremony today, as more than 1,300 students are expected to attend and be celebrated. The college said a total of 3,532 students have applied for...
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California early release law: Compassion or public risk?
California’s “compassionate early release” program is facing renewed scrutiny after a convicted violent offender was arrested on weapons charges last week in San Joaquin County. Steven Rodriguez, 57, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for the...
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Early taste of summer
Although summer officially begins June 21, the Lodi Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the season this week on School Street. The Lodi Certified Farmers Market opens Thursday, May 14, featuring fresh produce, prepared foods and handmade arts and...
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The data debate powers up in Lodi
Minutes after Lodi City Council members Lisa Craig-Hensley and Cameron Bregman debated the future of the armory building Wednesday, the two sparred again — this time over the possibility of bringing a data center to the area. Bregman said concerns...
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California under pressure — again — as redistricting wars escalate
WASHINGTON — When the U.S. Supreme Court sharply curtailed a key provision of the Voting Rights Act last week, Democrats in Washington had a message: The rules of redistricting have changed, and California — the nation’s biggest blue bastion — may have...
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Building a case
The Lodi Unified School District will place a $195 million bond measure on the November ballot after years of consideration and earlier hesitation due to limited community support. The district’s Board of Education voted 6-0 Tuesday to call a bond...
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Lodi program serves up meals and community support
A new program aimed at providing meals to underserved youth is bringing together nonprofits, local restaurants and charitable organizations to address food insecurity while supporting small businesses. The Lodi Community Foundation launched its Lodi...
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Isleton to celebrate centennial of Asian district rebirth
A century ago, a fire tore through Isleton, destroying much of the town’s Asian district and forcing residents to rebuild. Now, the Isleton Museum plans to celebrate the district’s rebirth and keep its history alive at a fundraiser lunch on May...
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A fresh crop of ideas
Grapes are everywhere in Lodi. In the city’s logo. On murals downtown. Memorialized in a steel archway. They’re the namesake of the stadium and the annual fair. There are about a dozen wine tasting rooms. And that’s just within the city limits. But...
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‘Ground Zero’
STOCKTON — The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors called for more resources and a stronger partnership with state officials Tuesday in response to the growing threat of the golden mussel in regional waters. Supervisors unanimously voted to...
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Main Street project aims to fill ‘critical gap’
With the snip of a ribbon, the City of Lodi took a big step forward for housing on Wednesday morning. A grand opening gave the public a peak at the city’s first transitional housing development, located at 22 S. Main Street. The Main Street...
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Converter theft crackdown
For years, law enforcement agencies throughout San Joaquin County have fielded reports of stolen catalytic converters, and many times, the thieves are never caught. But it appears that could soon change, as the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors...
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SJ County opens new medical examiner offices in French Camp
STOCKTON — The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors joined the Health Care Services Agency last Friday to officially open the new medical examiner offices at 7101 Bob Heidelbach Place in French Camp. The modernized building is designed to provide a...
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Super Seniors
Nearly one in five Lodians are 65 or older, according to 2024 Census data. But only 3% were over 80. Even fewer make it to 90, let alone 100. For three local seniors, the secret seems to be never slowing down. Hugh Metcalf, 97 Hugh Metcalf is a...
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Citations that honor
On the evening of Sept. 14, Lodi Police Department officers responded to a shooting at the Lodi Bowling Bar and Lounge on North Sacramento Street. Sgt. Josh Silvia was the first to arrive and found a victim lying unresponsive in the bowling alley’s...
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