Lodi News-Sentinel
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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‘Never seen it this bad’
Lo Saetern looked out at flooded strawberry fields at his farm on the corner of Vine Street and Lower Sacramento Road on Wednesday morning. This is some of the most devastating rain he’s ever seen, he said, with about 95% of the berries now too damaged...
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New route, same mission
For 34 years, hundreds of people walked the streets of Lodi in early May not only to improve their health, but also to raise funds for local medical programs and equipment. That tradition is ending this year as the Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation...
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Gas station, restaurants planned in Lockeford
The San Joaquin County Planning Commission is taking public comment for a Lockeford development that would include restaurants and a fuel station at a busy highway junction. Lodi development firm Dillon & Murphy is proposing to build a...
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‘They are ordinary, therefore they are extraordinary’
Just off the dining room in her Walnut Grove home, Lili Kan sorts through files, bags, binders and folders of documents. This is her research room, piled high with over a century’s worth of history from Chinese American residents who have lived along...
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City of Lodi eyes lifting its food truck cap to meet demand
As it stands, only 25 food trucks can legally operate in Lodi. If any others want to open up shop, they get placed on a waitlist, sometimes for years. But the City of Lodi is looking to change that, as discussed at Wednesday night’s city council...
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A rite of spring
The month of May is approaching, and that means the Lodi Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its first big event of the year. The Lodi Street Faire will begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, and events coordinator Elizabeth Fillon said the event is...
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SJ County OKs $126.3M for behavioral health campus
STOCKTON — While construction is barely underway at the SJ BeWell campus in French Camp, county officials allocated more funding to the project this week. The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an appropriations...
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An active life until the end for former Lodi first lady
Lorraine Katazakian loved to play bridge, and had a group of friends with whom she played until they began to pass away. Her son Reggie and his wife Cyndi said Katzakian was the last of that group, and that she was still mobile and active, putting on...
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New audit flags questionable spending on city credit cards
A new audit has found that City of Lodi employees racked up nearly $9,000 in potentially fraudulent credit card transactions over the last five years. The Lodi City Council will receive a forensic accounting audit report of the utility deposit...
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Out of parking, out of patience
officials next week to revamp parking enforcement regulations downtown after she and other employees received tickets during their work shifts. Olivia Miller is a server who works both day and night shifts at a Downtown Lodi restaurant, and will be...
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More candidates in the mix in District 7
Four more candidates have entered the race for the U.S. House of Representatives’ District 7 seat, one of whom is Woodbridge resident Zachariah Wooden. Wooden, 24, is currently a member of the Woodbridge Municipal Advisory Committee and a student at...
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FAR SIDE OF THE MOON
The crew of Artemis II flew farther from Earth than any human in history, saw parts of the moon never seen before and spoke with President Donald Trump as they took a turn for their return flight home. “Today you’ve made history and made all America...
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Two Republicans vying to unseat Harder
Josh Harder hasn’t lost a campaign since he entered the political arena in 2018. Back then, he upset Republican incumbent Jeff Dehham to represent California’s 10th Congressional District. Several district shifts later, the Tracy-based Democrat is...
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‘We lost a truly good person and a loyal friend’
It took just three days for the community to pledge its full support for a little girl who lost her father to a motorcycle collision last month. Lodi resident Daniel Everett Bryant, 41, was killed in collision with a truck on Highway 88 in Amador...
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‘All about tradition’
A whirlwind three days of food, dancing, games and even a fashion show begins today in Lodi to celebrate Cambodian New Year. The Cambodian Buddhist temple, Wat Khmer, will open its doors through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Each day will start with a...
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Untold histories
Tejpaul Singh Bainiwal went to school just down the street from the nation’s first Sikh temple, or gurdwara — but he was never taught its history. Now, his job is to share the stories of Sikh American communities at the San Joaquin County Historical...
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Shovel-ready project
The community is invited to bring shovels to Legion Park this weekend as the city celebrates Arbor Day and plants dozens of new trees. Arbor Day is typically held on April 24, and millions of people get outside to plant trees, flora and various types...
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Garamendi faces crowded field in District 8
Four Solano County residents are vying for the 8th Congressional District seat this year, which will also include Rio Vista, Isleton and the northwestern and southwestern portions of Lodi. The incumbent, Rep. John Garamendi, has held the seat since...
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Better than the average campground
It’s no Boo-Boo. An online booking platform has named a Lodi campground as one of the best in the nation. The Campspot website released its 2026 campsite awards this week, and ranked Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Tower Park as no. 3 for the...
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Lodi, served fresh
Lodi has been a hub for festivals celebrating wine, beer, grapes and Italian heritage for years, and now its oldest tourism destination is offering a new event to recognize local culinary establishments. Appellation Lodi — Wine & Roses Resort and Spa...
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‘Such a need’
A knight in a shining car hopes to soon drive seniors across town. The ride service, called Knights of Care, launched on Wednesday. Founder Scott Sorenson said the operation is just waiting for a senior to dial their number. “All I need is a call and...
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Moon base, Mars helicopters among NASA’s future plans
NASA unveiled a new vision for its near-term future Tuesday, including construction of a complete moon base, a major increase in robotic missions and a nuclear-powered spacecraft to bring a slew of helicopters to Mars. NASA Administrator Jared...
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Lodi native Christopher Morita selected for prestigious delegation fostering U.S.-Japan ties
A Lodi native was recently given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Japan and meet with business, political and academic leaders, among others. Christopher Morita was one of nearly a dozen Japanese Americans selected to participate in the 2026...
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Leaning into local legacies
When news of sex abuse allegations against civil rights icon César Chávez broke earlier this week, many nonprofits and local governments moved to change or cancel events named in his honor. One such nonprofit was the the Lodi Breakthrough Project for...
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Halstead hits high note as the 2026 Arts Honoree
For the last 15 years, Judy Halstead has been busy making sure the arts remain at the forefront of local culture as a member of the Lodi Community Concert Association’s board of directors. During that time, she has helped bring a number of musical...
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Shockwaves felt near and far after bombshell report
In the wake of allegations made against labor icon Cesar Chavez, a local nonprofit is changing the name of its annual dinner to award scholarships to high school seniors. The Breakthrough Project of Lodi’s Cesar Chavez Scholarship Dinner scheduled for...
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A $38 million boost
STOCKTON — San Joaquin County has been awarded more than $38,230,841 in Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program funds for the second phase of its SJ BeWell Campus. The investment from the California Department of Health Care Services...
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No sharks in this tank
Ten entrepreneurs stared down a line of judges and an audience at Hutchins Street Square last Friday as they pitched their business ideas. At the event, hosted by local organization Open Innovation Centers, business ideas spanned everything from a...
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A LIFE WELL PLAYED
When Millard Fore began his teaching career at Lodi High School in 1959 the “West Campus” was brand new. Lodi’s population was about 22,000 then, having nearly doubled during the previous 10 years. Millard took time recently to share an outline of his...
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Fire truck face-off Lodi’s new engine in the running for region’s top rig
Just as the voting window for America’s Favorite Small Town competition has closed, the Lodi Fire Department is asking the community to participate in another popularity contest next week. The department is competing in the 14th annual FLre TruFN...
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Spreading the love
The city’s annual day of volunteerism and beautification efforts is a month away, but Love Lodi organizers already have more than 30 projects scheduled. Now in its 11th year, more than 7,500 volunteers have participated in Love Lodi, representing a...
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Push and pushback
Not long after Steve Clarke found out there was a push to require voter ID at the polls, he began canvassing for signatures in Sacramento. Many of the residents he encountered were angry, Clarke said. He began volunteering for Reform California, the...
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Still seeking justice
August will mark 20 years since a Lodi resident was shot and killed outside of an apartment complex on West Lockeford Street, but Lodi police investigators are still no closer to making an arrest. The Lodi Police Department is hoping that local...
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Small ring, BIG CHARACTERS
Two wrestlers clad in neon windbreakers and leopard print pants climbed onto a square-shaped platform while a-ha’s hit “Take on Me” blared. A floodlight illuminated puffs of breath as they tangled with their opponents on a chilly February night. The...
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A park, a patio, a partnership
The American Legion Hall will expand its footprint in Lawrence Park, after a lease agreement was approved by the Lodi City Council at its Wednesday meeting. The building has already been under construction for months now, as the Legion works to revamp...
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Will Big Beautiful Bill deal big blow to budget?
San Joaquin County could be hit with as much as $76.9 million in increased spending if the “Big Beautiful Bill” takes effect after the 2026 midterms, officials said this week. The impacts, staff said, will stem from the potential loss of Medi-Cal and...
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Back in the spotlight
Salas Park started a brighter chapter on Tuesday, reopening with lighting improvements after six months of construction. The Lodi parks department spent $1.4 million on the project, installing 13 new light poles at the park.The update makes the fields...
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Two decades of hands-on learning
For two decades, the San Joaquin County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has given more than 200,000 youngsters the opportunity to learn the basics of the region’s number one industry through hands-on educational programming. On Thursday, that...
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A roof over hope
Crews began placing a new roof on the permanent Lodi Access Center on Friday, taking the long-awaited project closer to completion. Construction is slated to be completed some time this year, with Outreach Ministries International to operate the...
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Funds flowing into local campaign coffers
Lodi City Councilman Cameron Bregman this week announced that he has raised more than $40,000 in campaign contributions to date for his 2026 run for re-election. Bregman, who represents Lodi’s third district on the council, is seeking his second...
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Major plot twist
Many Lodians thought the saga of the Sunset Theater sign had ended Monday, but a post-credits scene has given the story new life. The Historical Guild 209 announced Wednesday that an anonymous donor had put up the funds to save the 45-foot-tall sign...
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City of Lodi seeks community feedback after unveiling draft Downtown Specific Plan
Improving Hale Park, enhancing School Street and reimagining the city’s Eastside are just a few of the goals the community has laid out to help further promote Lodi as a destination city. The City of Lodi has released its draft Downtown Specific Plan,...
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Sunset signing off
One of the final pieces of the Sunset Theater was removed from its Lodi Avenue site Monday morning as crews removed the signature sign that towered above the building’s entrance. Marty Thorpe, the demolition expert overseeing work on the theater said...
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A campus left in the cold
STOCKTON — San Joaquin Delta College’s Stockton campus was closed once again this week after its heating system went out again, causing classes to move to virtual instruction for two days. Alex Breitler, the school’s director of marketing and...
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Alley flooding problem persists for many Lodi residents
After a rainstorm drenched Lodi this week, an alley just north of Eden Street became one giant puddle. Eric Patino lives along the alley and said it floods every time there’s heavy rain. Water has been seeping from the alley into his garage since he...
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Shadowing the mayor
Mayor Ramón Yepez rolled up to city hall in a dark blue Chevrolet and navy suit on a recent Wednesday morning. He was running about 15 minutes late, because his day started earlier than normal. Yepez is a night owl, not a morning person, he said. Most...
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Not the final chapter
Long-time patrons of Lodi’s last bookstore encountered a plot twist last week when its owner announced he was selling the business. Tom Kohlhepp posted on social media last Thursday that “the time has come” and that Tom’s Used Books was up for grabs...
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CSU objects to some new community college degrees, igniting debate over who can teach what
Constance Duffle, a paramedic in Siskiyou County at the Oregon border, serves a vast wilderness region woefully in need of health professionals. She has enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in paramedicine, newly offered at College of the...
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‘We need more compassion, more love’
Fear is intensifying among immigrant communities in Lodi as national enforcement operations escalate and local tensions rise. In response, several local nonprofit organizations are bolstering their services. Some of the offerings help directly with...
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A delicate balancing act
The region’s wine industry has been experiencing a downturn in the product’s popularity for about half a decade now, which in recent years has created an oversupply of grapes waiting to be crushed. But experts now say that glut could be greatly...
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‘Now we are together’
The Cambodian temple in Lodi, Wat Khmer, is planning to build a heritage center in a sweeping transformation of its grounds. The Stockton metro area is home to one of the largest Cambodian populations in the U.S., many of whom came as refugees in the...
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NorCal Science Festival: A hands-on extravaganza
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or someone who’s curious about coding, forensics, virtual reality or anything science-related, Lodi High School will be the place for you next weekend. Thousands of students and adults will converge on the campus...
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Pulling the plug
Lodi Lake is looking more like a marsh than a lake lately after its annual draining. Each year, Woodbridge Irrigation District drains the lake for dam maintenance. It also gives time for the Lodi Parks and Recreation Department to check for and make...
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