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• Lodi dancer accused of kidnapping

• Chiechi retiring

• Hatch to leave

• Teaching veteran, who worked at Oak View since '72, to retire

• Police crack down

• Regional Roundup

• Eastside park plans called a 'win-win'

• Supes look at reorganizing Stockton Airport

November 2nd, 2009

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

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

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• 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

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Hatch to leave

City's development chief to seek job or retire, says King

Randy Hatch — Lodi's community development chief since September 2005 — will step down June 1.

City Manager Blair King said Tuesday that Hatch will leave the city "to seek employment with another city or retire."

Hatch, who was on jury duty Tuesday, could not be reached for comment.

During his time in Lodi, he has helped guide the city's General Plan update and plan for several large developments, including the future Reynolds Ranch, Southwest Gateway and Westside projects. Hatch's salary is $127,140, according to figures released by the city last year.

Several city leaders said they were not surprised by Hatch's decision, though they declined to elaborate on that point.

"I'll miss him," Mayor JoAnne Mounce said, describing Hatch, as several city leaders did, as a very personable leader. "I respect his decision. If he felt Lodi wasn't a good fit for him, it's his prerogative to find a place that is."

She added that she didn't know, and may never know, why he's leaving.

City Councilman Larry Hansen said he enjoyed working with Hatch, and wishes him well.

"I saw Randy as someone who tried very hard," Hansen said. "He clearly had a lot of experience. He delved into the assignments that he was given."

Regarding his work at the city, King said Hatch has "performed to the expectations."

Hatch oversees employees at the city's Community Development Department, which includes planning, building and community improvement staff.

Before coming to Lodi, Hatch served as the community development chief for the city of Ceres, and as a planner for the city of Stockton, among other positions.

He has been away from City Hall in recent months due to health issues, working at home much of the time, King said.

The city fell behind late last year on its General Plan update, under Hatch's watch. Former Lodi Community Development Director Rad Bartlam was subsequently hired as a project manager to lead the update.

Mounce noted the project — which will serve as guide for the city's future growth — is now back on track and should be ready for a City Council vote by early 2009.

She said she did not think the city's hiring of Bartlam contributed to Hatch's departure.

Before he leaves, Hatch will continue to guide the planning process for the Wal-Mart Supercenter project, proposed for the southwest corner of Lower Sacramento Road and Kettleman Lane.

Additional economic and environmental studies for that development, also known as the Lodi Shopping Center, are tentatively set for review by the city's Planning Commission April 9, King said.

The council will have final approval on the project later in the year.

King said the city has already begun recruiting to fill Hatch's position. It will accept applications for the post through April 18.

Existing city staff and those outside the city will be considered, King added.

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.