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• Appeals court throws out Herzog's conviction

• Massive bridge installed to continue Woodbridge Dam construction

• Kids Night Out, Oooh Ahhh Festival could go on chopping block

• Head of animal shelter moves on

• PAWS loses case against Calaveras neighbor

• Regional Roundup

• Logbook

March 4th, 2010

• Attacked judge sues county, sheriff

March 10th, 2010

• Lodi Finance Department puts customers at a safe distance

• Former Galt City Councilman Jeff Bryant dies

• Lodi pastor Leo Duncan to celebrate his 80th birthday by jumping out of plane

• Lodi Middle Schoolers earn limo ride and lunch

• Principal's decision to allow Galt High seniors to go off campus for lunch is under review

• Acampo man sentenced to 80 years to life in prison for torturing girlfriend

• Lodi Unified School District rocked by threat of four schools closing

• Regional Roundup

March 9th, 2010

• Third Republican announces candidacy for State Senate

• It's a gift!

• Lodi Unified School District to discuss closing schools, eliminating buses

• Regional Roundup

• Sanborn Chevrolet dealership in Lodi will be allowed to renew contract

• Lodi Inn bought by Motel 6

• No arrests in gang-related shooting that left buckshot in Lodi man's eye, hand

• Four Lodi Unified School District campuses could close

March 8th, 2010

• Two shot in Eastside fight

• Public Meetings

• Correction

• Japanese exchange student seeks donations for Lodi House

• Stop human trafficking

• Regional Roundup

• Science Olympiad

March 6th, 2010

• Logbook

• Will nuclear power make a comeback?

• Best of fair

• Project Lodi Art unveils 24 mosaic sidewalk tiles at First Friday Art Hop

• New hope

• Regional Roundup

• Erica Davis, first paraplegic woman to summit Kilimanjaro, shares experience

• Surviving H1N1

• Lodi Unified School District moving forward with campus conversions — for now

March 5th, 2010

• Man guilty in killing of Lodi High grad may face life sentence

• Fire at The California Street Pub

• March 5

• Regional Roundup

• Delta College's future in Lodi beginning to look more certain

• Sidewalk mosaics on display at celebration tonight in Lodi

• Protests draw attention to statewide education cuts

• Retired judge Cinda Fox suing San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

• Continuing the steps to home ownership

March 4th, 2010

• Lawrence Literacy Night

• Regional Roundup

• City of Lodi demands taco trucks to face increased inspections

• Lodi City Council accepts gift of statue, approves spending up to $27,000 on transport, installation

• Couple appeals approval of Costco

• Logbook

March 3rd, 2010

• Lodi Lake on the rise

• Logbook

• Lodi City Council hears more information on water meter costs, payment plans

• Lodi Unified School District targets $30 million deficit

• Supervisor: Changes ahead for cash-strapped hospital

• San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors temporarily bans marijuana outlets

• Regional Roundup

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Couple appeals approval of Costco (73)
• We are the last beacon of hope when darkest day falls upon us (57)
• Four Lodi Unified School District campuses could close (56)
• Elton John: Talented but 'cruel gay man' (54)
• Lodi Unified School District rocked by threat of four schools closing (51)
• Lodi City Council accepts gift of statue, approves spending up to $27,000 on transport, installation (43)
• Is government able to think before acting? (34)
• Four Lodi Unified School District campuses deemed among state's lowest achieving (32)
• Retired judge Cinda Fox suing San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office (31)
• Lodi Unified School District to discuss closing schools, eliminating buses (29)

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Kids Night Out, Oooh Ahhh Festival could go on chopping block

The New Year's Eve Kids Night Out event could be canceled this year unless the Lodi City Council restructures the annual celebration and finds a new way to fund it.

Restructuring the agreement between the city and the Lodi-Tokay Rotary Club, which coordinates the event, is scheduled for discussion at Wednesday's council meeting. Council members will also discuss the agreement with the club for the annual Oooh Ahhh Festival.

In the past, the city has donated city labor to assist with these events, but now wants to be reimbursed due to budget shortfalls.

"Because of restrictions in the city budget, the council is having to look at community promotions," said Rotary member JoAnne Mounce, chairwoman of both events.

"When people's incomes are affected, you have to look in the refrigerator and see what you can do without. Kids Night Out may be one of those things. We are looking at taxpayer funding."

In addition, the city is asking to be reimbursed for $10,500 in overtime labor incurred by the city's public safety, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation departments at last month's Fourth of July Oooh Ahhh Festival, and restructure the financial agreement for next year's event.

"Since they make money off it, we thought they could pay for part of the overtime," Interim City Manager Janet Keeter said. However, the group did not make as much money this year as in years past, she said.

"Our prayer is simple," club President JoEllen Flemmer wrote in a letter to Keeter. "We will be asking the council ... to forgive the amount owed the city. "We will further ask that the council give us 60 days to rebuild a new business plan for the festival."

If that doesn't work out, Mayor Larry Hansen is hoping the Chamber of Commerce or a similar civic organization will help pick up the tab so Kids Night Out can continue.

"The easy answer is, don't do it," he said of the city helping foot the bill. "We are in budget-tough times."

Chamber president Pat Patrick could not be reached for comment.

In other action Wednesday, the council will:

• Hold a public hearing to consider certifying the final environmental report for the White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility and direct staff to make application to the San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission to designate a sphere of influence around the plant.

• Likely reject claims filed by Sherry Klein, who mother and brother were killed earlier in this year in a vehicle accident on Cherokee Lane near Pioneer Drive, and downtown property owner Tim Vallem for losses dating back to July 1994.

• Approve using $82,000 in asset seizure funds to purchase a new SWAT vehicle for the Lodi Police Department.

• Vote on removing the left-turn restriction on Lilac Street at Eilers Lane.

• Increase the number of student appointees on the Greater Lodi Area Youth Commission from nine to 11 and direct the city clerk to post for two vacancies.

• Recognize Lt. Gary Benincasa for his years of service on the Lodi Police SWAT Team, Terri Arbuckle for her years of service to the city Animal Shelter and Boy Scout Joshua David Halecky for obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Wednesday's meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Carnegie Forum, 305 W. Pine St., and is open to the public. For more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at 333-6702.