Regional Roundup

Armed men rob check-cashing store

Two men, at least one of whom was armed with a gun, robbed a Lodi check-cashing store Monday evening.

Nobody was injured when the men entered Check Into Cash, 720 S. Cherokee Lane, around 5:20 p.m., according to Lodi Police.

The gunman demanded money and the female employee gave him an undisclosed amount. At least one of the men was armed with a gun and ordered an employee to the floor.

The suspects were described as two males who fled south on foot after the robbery. One was a black adult in his 20s, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt over a red hat, according to police. Officers had no description of the other man.

The incident was similar to a Dec. 30, 2002, robbery at the same business. That time, also a Monday, two armed men entered the store, demanded cash and also ordered the employee to the floor.

Seeking favorite vegetarian recipes

Are you a vegetarian at heart? Do you have some favorite vegetarian recipes? If so, we would love to hear from you for a future story on meatless entrees. Recipes may be sent to Pam Bauserman at pamelab@lodinews.com or to P.O. Box 1360, Lodi, CA 95241.

MAC to discuss community center use

The Lockeford Municipal Advisory Council, meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, will discuss the use of added Lockeford Community Center property on Jack Tone Road.

The council will also discuss a proposed Highway 88 billboard, a health van for Lockeford and a proposed nightclub planned by Timothy Kruppe.

The meeting will be held in the Lockeford Community Center's McDonald Building, 19456 N. Jack Tone Road.

First S.J. Film Festival to announce films

The San Joaquin Cross Cultural Media will announce Thursday at a conference the more than 40 films that will be shown at its first San Joaquin Film Festival.

The festival, which is to be held June 4-8, will include 10 international titles as well as films screened at Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, Sundance and Cinequest film festivals.

"We've expanded the festival eightfold," said Sophoan Sorn, founder and director of SJCCM.

Named by the California Travel & Tourism Commission as one of the new and exciting events of 2008, the festival will be held in Stockton because of its large population and central location in the county.

Sorn hopes to expand the festival to other San Joaquin County cities in the future, though.

Thursday's conference at the Bechtel International Center at the University of the Pacific will include a pre-program at 5:40 p.m. The conference will follow at 6 p.m. with announcements of the films.

Tickets are free with reservation. To make a reservation, visit www.sjccm.org/sjff08/preview.html.

Runway rehabilitation at Stockton Airport

The San Joaquin County Aviation Advisory Committee will hear a report about a contract with Granite Construction to rehabilitate a runway at Stockton Metropolitan Airport at today's meeting.

The committee will also hear airport tenants discuss landscape and beautification issues.

Today's meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in Aviation Department Conference Room 202 at the main airport terminal, 5000 S. Airport Way, Stockton.

Assembly candidate gets endorsements

Former Lodi resident Alyson Huber, who is running for the 10th Assembly District seat being vacated this year by Alan Nakanishi, R-Lodi, has been endorsed by Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, El Dorado County Supervisor Norma Santiago, Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis and Rancho Cordova City Councilman Ken Cooley.

Huber, who now lives in El Dorado Hills, is running against Jim Cook of Elk Grove for the Democratic nomination. Also running are four Republicans, Jack Sieglock of Lodi, Paul Hegyi of Elk Grove, David Sander of Rancho Cordova and Helen Baumann of El Dorado Hills.