Regional Roundup

Electric Utility shows strong fourth quarter

Lodi Electric Utility reported a $5.4 million cash balance at the close of the 2006-07 fourth quarter ending June 30.

Utility Director George Morrow presented the quarterly report to the City Council at Tuesday's shirtsleeve meeting.

According to the report, operating expenses were nearly $2 million less than expected. Morrow also said that the utility had closed most of its so-called open positions for the next year. This means the utility only needs to buy 7 percent of its power needs on the open market.

Morrow highlighted the recent upgrades from financial agencies Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor's. The agencies rate the financial health of the utility for institutional investors.

"We did have a couple of pats on the back from financial agencies," Morrow said.

Delta Blood Bank needs donors

Because the blood supply in San Joaquin County has reached unsafe levels, Delta Blood Bank is urging people to donate blood.

The blood bank, based in Stockton, requests donors from all blood types, but especially A-negative and B-negative, said Rebekah Emmer, marketing associate for the blood bank. People who haven't donated blood within the past 56 days are eligible.

The need to stabilize the blood supply is especially urgent because of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, when blood donations typically decline, Emmer said.

When blood may be donated:

• In Lodi, from 12:30 to 6:45 p.m. each Wednesday at Hutchins Street Square, 125 S. Hutchins St.

• In Stockton, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday at 2888 W. March Lane.

Donors who come in by Aug. 31 will receive two pints of Baskin-Robbins ice cream rather than the usual one pint.

For more information, call (888) 94-BLOOD or visit http://www.deltabloodbank.org.

Principal resigns from McAuliffe Middle School

Russom Mesfun, principal of McAuliffe Middle School, resigned from his post Tuesday.

Lodi Unified School District superintendent Bill Huyett confirmed Mesfun's resignation, although he had few other details.

During a June Lodi Unified board meeting, Michelle Wilbourn, a past president of McAuliffe's parent teacher association, had accused Mesfun of making inappropriate comments to her.

Mesfun had served as the school's principal for a little more than a year.

Stockton General Plan hearing to cover Morada

Two Morada organizations will address the Stockton Planning Commission Thursday night about their concerns about Stockton's plans to expand its boundaries east of Highway 99.

The Morada Area Association, a group of residents, and the Morada Municipal Advisory Council, have been allocated 40 minutes apiece on Thursday.

The Stockton Planning Commission hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Stockton Civic Auditorium, 525 N. Center St. Future hearings will be held tonight and Aug. 22-23, Aug. 29-30 and Sept. 5-6.

For more information, call the Stockton Community Development Department at 937-8598 or visit http://www.westplanning.com/ docs/stockton.