On Sunday night deputies in the Manteca area spotted a gold Toyota Corolla that been taken in a carjacking in Tracy. They followed the Corolla, tried to stop it, but had to chase it until the 16-year-old driver lost control and crashed in the 15700 block of Cottage Avenue. He »»Read Full Post
Why No. 2?
The Sac-Joaquin Section power ratings were released today, and for the second week in a row, the St. Mary's girls basketball team is ranked No. 2 in Division III. This was the case last week as well when the first power ratings were released How does this happen? I've lost »»Read Full Post
Rain or snow
Snow dusts pine trees at Soda Springs in Nevada County (Camera: Canon 20D. Lens: Canon 70-200mm @ 200mm. Exposure: 1/500th sec. @ f/5.6. ISO: 100). The drive to our ski trip to Soda Springs was dry through the valley and foothills, but snow started falling just a few miles from »»Read Full Post
Bad headline
Got an Google alert for an AP story headlined, "Ecologists say unrestricted pumping will harm fish." The lede says: "Environmentalists say a federal judge's order to temporarily allow unrestricted pumping in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta threatens to push endangered salmon into extinction." "Environmentalist" and "ecologist" are not the same thing. »»Read Full Post
The Recession Chronicles
The closure of the California Pizza Kitchen last Monday is more significant than other recent restaurant closures. The restaurant's location, the main entrance to Weberstown Mall, is, after all, about as busy and central a spot as Stockton boasts. This is the de facto city center we're talking about -- what Hunter Square used to »»Read Full Post
City manager search update
More than 50 people have applied to be city manager, Mayor Ann Johnston said the other day. The application period is closed. The City Council is expected to discuss the search in a closed session Tuesday. Vice Mayor Kathy Miller said, “I’m very much hoping that we’re going to have »»Read Full Post
Photos that will make you smile
On Friday, Feb. 5, 10 members of the San Joaquin Dental Society and several volunteers, including students from University of the Pacific’s dental hygiene program, gave up several hours of their valuable time for a whole bunch of disadvantaged kids. The program, called Give Kids a Smile Day, is a »»Read Full Post
New York Times weighs in on the early college model
Here's the story (log-in may be required), relevant given the success of Middle College High School and the debut of Stockton Early College Academy. »»Read Full Post
Healthier meals coming to a school cafeteria near you?
First Lady Michelle Obama is working with federal health officials to roll out a modernized version of the Child Nutrition Act, which will aim its arrows at improving food choices in school cafeterias. Read the San Francisco Chronicle's story here. This is not an overly surprising development. Schools have began »»Read Full Post
Test photos in downtown Stockton
Like Record photographer Clifford Oto, I was inspired by the clouds that marked the skies around San Joaquin County this week. Unlike Cliff, however, I lack skill with a camera. I'm still learning. After I left the gym Thursday and Friday morning I spent a few minutes taking test photos »»Read Full Post