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• All pumped up

• Driver identified in fatal Lodi accident

• Identity theft suspect caught

• Lodi Chamber presentation spurs greenbelt debate

• Regional Roundup

November 2nd, 2009

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

November 8th, 2009

• Lodi High graduate was at Fort Hood

• Lining up for flu shots in Lodi

• Tour packs buses as birdwatchers admire Sandhill cranes

• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks

• Daytime thieves targeting Lodi homes

• Lodi High School rally featured on 'Good Day Sacramento'

• Out of control

• Homicide suspect Anthony Hubbard arraigned

• Regional Roundup

• New Lodi Memorial rule to combat spread of H1N1: Visitors must be older than 16

November 7th, 2009

• Lodi High graduate was at Fort Hood

• Lining up for flu shots in Lodi

• Tour packs buses as birdwatchers admire Sandhill cranes

• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks

• Daytime thieves targeting Lodi homes

• Lodi High School rally featured on 'Good Day Sacramento'

• Out of control

• Homicide suspect Anthony Hubbard arraigned

• Regional Roundup

• New Lodi Memorial rule to combat spread of H1N1: Visitors must be older than 16

November 6th, 2009

• Short sales make up nearly half of Lodi market

• Regional Roundup

• Lodi man accused of smuggling drugs, weapons for inmates at state prison

• 'I-5 Strangler' sentenced to 6 terms of life

• Jury convicts Acampo man of torture, assault of his girlfriend

• Young girl is 200,000th person to assemble AIDS, HIV care kit

• Woman in wheelchair struck by car

November 5th, 2009

• A lower Lodi Lake

• Streetside scarecrows

• San Joaquin County considers moratorium on new Williamson Act contracts

• Speakers address Lodi Unified School District budget shortfalls, plea to keep programs

• Armed robbers still targeting Lodi shops

• Regional Roundup

• California voters have final say over $11 billion water bond

• Weekend bus service to continue until Lodi City Council makes decision

• Paul Tebbel shines spotlight on sandhill cranes

• Your complete guide to Sandhill Crane Festival

• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy

• Man wanted in Acampo homicide gives up to San Joaquin County Sheriff's detectives

November 4th, 2009

• Candle fire

• Rep. Jerry McNerney sets telephone town hall for Thursday

• Jason Behrmann is unanimously named Galt's city manager

• Regional Roundup

• Galt City Council argues over ordinance hiring residents

• San Joaquin County sues state over prison hospital planned for Stockton

• Big win for Allen Baroni in reclamation election

• California sends Democratic loyalist John Garamendi to Congress

• Bicycling father raising awareness of teen suicide

• Lodi City Council weighs raising fares to restore some bus service

November 3rd, 2009

• 500 attend service for Kyle Coumas

• Correction

• Galt considers ordinance that would require city contractors to hire locally

• Regional Roundup

• Have you seen a missing guide dog puppy in Lodi?

• Galt man dies after weekend Highway 12 crash

• Jason Behrmann is top candidate for Galt city manager

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

• Clarification

November 2nd, 2009

• Downtown Lodi trick or treat

• Public Meetings

• Correction

• Kyle Coumas funeral today

• 27-year-old man shot to death Saturday night in front of Acampo home

• Regional Roundup

• Group investigates reports of haunting

• Sandhill Cranes Festival comes to Lodi next weekend

• Lamborghini lovers gather for show, fine wine, luncheon in Woodbridge

• Lodi's 'Biggest Loser' Christy Richesin runs 5K Halloween race

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

• Bible is entwined with American civic life (135)
• I predict: A conservative tide will rise in 2010 (73)
• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy (70)
• The Treaty of Tripoli hoax (60)
• Universal health care solves big problems (54)
• Here's what my father knew about the assassination of JFK (35)
• Stuck in neutral? Hardly! (35)
• Words from our forefathers (27)
• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks (24)
• Majority cannot deprive the minority (23)

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A story of hope

Local author publishes book with the aspiration to raise awareness of early onset of Alzheimer's disease

Sharon Souza has a passion for writing. A former teacher's aid at Century Assembly, she decided she wanted to publish a book. In 2004 her first book, "A Heavenly Christmas in Hometown," was published. Inspiration for her second book came from dealing with a friend who was diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer's.

"Every Good and Perfect Gift," is due to be released on Tuesday. The 55-year-old Acampo resident hopes the book will help raise awareness of a disease that most think only hits the older population.

"It was the saddest experience in my life," said Souza. "With my experience, I want people to be aware that this (disease) is there."

Q: What is your book about?

A: Primarily it's a story about friendship — about two women who are about 40 and have been married for 20 years. Neither one has children but one wants to have a baby. The first part is about a journey of infertility. I address it all with some humor. Once the baby is born, some serious symptoms of illness materialize. The other friend becomes a caregiver to the child and the friend. The illness ends up being early onset of Alzheimer's. It is not a biography but it is based on events of one of my friends — not the infertility part but the early onset of Alzheimer's. She started showing symptoms at the age of 42. Within a few years, she knew nobody.

Q: What were some of the emotional challenges while writing the book?

A: In dealing with the infertility, that was never my problem but I always had a problem sustaining pregnancy. As far as the Alzheimer's, I'm just trying to get across the enormity of how devastating it is.

Q: Who or what inspires you to write?

A: I've never been one to want to write or read about simple topics or shallow books. I like to have a real substance to the story. That's the kind of thing I want to write about. I love contemporary women's issues.

Q: What do you hope this book does for others?

A: I really want there to be an awareness of early onset of Alzheimer's. Awareness brings its own hope.

Q: Do you have any other books you are working on and can you give us a sneak peek?

A: The next one, "Lying on Sunday," will be out in September. It is about a woman who is 42 years of age. She has two daughters going to college and is happily married. She gets a phone call that her husband has died in San Diego, but he was supposed to be in Dallas. It is about her trying to figure out what happened and why.

Q: Are there any other books in the works?

A: I'm working on another one, but it's in the early stages right now. It's about a woman who graduates from Bible college and goes into the missionary field. She ends up having a crises of faith because of what she sees.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: "My Hands Came Away Red," by Lisa McKay. It was a fabulous story.

Q: What author do you admire most?

A: In Christian fiction, my favorite is Lisa Samson. I also love to read John Grisham and I've always been a huge fan of Charles Dickens.

Q: What is the best decision you have ever made?

A: I guess to let the Lord take control of my life. It has made all the difference in my marriage and relationship with my children. It had a huge ripple effect. Next to that, it would be marrying my husband.