Regional Roundup

Joe Guzzardi wins more baking awards at fair

News-Sentinel columnist Joe Guzzardi was awarded with three more baking awards this year at the California State Fair.

He received first place for his Triple Play chocolate brownies with peanut butter, second place for his chocolate snowflake drop cookies and an award of merit for his California carrot cake.

In total, he received three first place awards, four second place awards and two awards of merits this year at the California State Fair. His other awards were announced two weeks ago.

One man dies, another hospitalized after crash

A Lockeford man died Sunday and his two passengers from Lodi and Stockton were hospitalized in critical condition after a car accident that authorities believe involved drugs and alcohol.

Rodger D. Winn, 22, of Lockeford, was riding in the rear seat of his Honda Accord when the vehicle drifted off Interstate 5 and hit a tree south of Airport Boulevard, the California Highway Patrol said.

The driver, Cory T. Tindell, 19, of Lodi, and a passenger, Francisco R. Valladares, 25, of Stockton, were in critical condition Monday at UC Davis Medical Center.

The car was southbound at 1:30 p.m. Sunday when it went off the freeway onto a gravel embankment and then hit the tree, the CHP said.

"Alcohol and drugs are believed to have been factors" in the crash because "evidence of both was found in the car," the CHP said.

Woman killed by train on Kost Road

A 32-year-old Galt woman was killed when she was hit by a freight train at 1:26 a.m. Monday on Kost Road, west of Joy Drive.

The Sacramento County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Shawna Sotelo. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:40 a.m.

The train was headed from Portland, Ore., to Phoenix, Ariz., when the accident took place, said Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis. The train was moved to a side track at 3:45 a.m. The train's crew received counseling to deal with the tragedy.

The accident remains under investigation, Davis said.

Public safety committee to meet tonight

Galt resident John Moran, who heads Galt volunteers to the American Red Cross, will report on Red Cross activities at tonight's meeting of the Galt Public Safety Advisory Committee.

The committee, chaired by Vice Mayor Randy Shelton, will also discuss issues related to Wendy Hope Drive, just north of Galt High School.

Today's meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Anthony Pescetti Community Room at the Galt police station, 455 Industrial Drive.

Benefit dinner for accident victim

A dinner to help defray living expenses for the family of Thornton resident Jose Ortiz will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Portuguese Community Hall, 26500 N. Sacramento Blvd., Thornton.

Ortiz, 16, is a Galt High School sophomore. He received major head, arm and leg injuries in a July 28 crash at the intersection of Sacramento Boulevard and New Hope Road in Thornton, according to Paula Soto, a representative for San Joaquin County's Human Service Agency, who is organizing the dinner.

Ortiz was in a coma for three weeks and remains seriously injured, Soto said.

The menu will consist of chili verde with rice and beans, chicken tostadas and nachos. A disc jockey will provide entertainment, and karaoke will be available.

A $5 donation is requested for adults and $1 for youngsters 10 and older is requested. Dinner is free for children under 10. For more information, call Soto at 794-2144.

CHP chief retires

California Highway Patrol Chief Dennis Lobenberg retired Friday after 30 years of service.

California Highway Patrol Chief Dennis Lobenberg stands beside his bright red corvette Friday, the day of his retirement after serving for 30 years. (Angelina Gervasi/News-Sentinel)

After starting in Los Angeles as a motorcycle officer, Lobenberg became commander of the CHP Stockton area office for five years.

Through his success in San Joaquin County, he was selected for promotion to assistant chief in the CHP's Northern Division, where he oversaw law enforcement operations and community outreach programs in communities from Clear Lake to the Oregon border.

Lobenberg was promoted to chief and joined the ranks of the CHP's top management team, which sets policy and direction for 10,300 employees.