Regional Roundup

Lodi SWAT team members took first place in a competition last week. Standing, from left: Officer Mike Manetti, Cpl. Sierra Brucia, Cpl. David Griffin and Officer Sean Blandford. Kneeling, from left: Sgt. Mike Oden, Sgt. Fernando Martinez and Officer Kevin Kent. (Courtesy photograph)

Regional Roundup

Lodi SWAT team places first in competition

By News-Sentinel Staff

Friday, July 25, 2008 6:19 AM PDT

Comments (4 comment(s))

The Lodi SWAT team took first place in a competition last weekend, going up against teams across the state, including some that are full-time.

Twelve teams participated in the Sierra Foothill Tactical Challenge, a three-day event that includes shooting, tactical and physical contests. One of the scenarios required them to run 750 feet down a steep gorge to a river and back up, Sgt. Chris Jacobson said.

Officer Mike Manetti took second place in the overall sniper competition, and Sgt. Fernando Martinez took second place in the overall top-gun competition. Of 84 shooters, all seven Lodi team members placed in the top 25 overall shooting standings.

Lodi team members are full-time officers on patrol or as detectives, and are called out on SWAT assignments when needed. Other teams in the competition included Sacramento, Oakland and Pasadena, which are full-time SWAT teams that do not have other assignments, Jacobson said.

Lodi has taken first-place in the competition three previous times, and took third place last year.

Other team members in the July 17-19 contest were Sgt. Mike Oden, Cpl. David Griffin, Cpl. Sierra Brucia, Officer Kevin Kent and Officer Sean Blandford.

Teen with knife arrested in front of Lodi Library

A teenager with a hunting knife was arrested Thursday after a dispute in front of the Lodi library.

Nobody was injured, and none of the teens actually entered the library, at 201 W. Locust St., during the fracas.

Lodi police were called at 2:25 p.m., and they arrived as youths were leaving but still yelling at one another. A teenager crouched near a car, but Bicycle Officer K.C. Schlader stopped and searched him, finding what he described as a large hunting knife in the youth's pants.

Police gang detectives took over the investigation. Though suspected gang members were involved, the incident did not appear to have stemmed from a gang dispute, Detective Eric Bradley said. He declined to give further details, as the investigation was not complete.

Patriotic Picnic to be held on Sunday

The community is invited to the Lodi Republican Women's annual Patriotic Picnic featuring a tri-tip barbecue, silent auction and live entertainment. The picnic will be from 3 to 7 p.m. at Micke Grove Park in south Lodi.

Tickets are $25 for adults, and $10 for veterans and children under 12. Active military will be admitted free.

For more information, call Bettie Rice at 727-0831 or Kim Parigoris at 747-5154, or visit www.patrioticpicnic.com. galt.

Guide to Galt's growth available for review

A draft of the Galt General Plan 2030 is available for public review.

The comprehensive document is a guide to the city's future growth, outlining where and what kind of development should take place within its limits.

A review period began July 23 and ends Sept. 5 at 5 p.m.

Printed copies of the document as well as a related environmental impact report are available for review at the following locations: Galt City Clerk's Office, 380 Civic Drive, Galt; Galt Planning Department, 495 Industrial Drive, Galt; and Marion O. Lawrence Public Library, 1000 Caroline Ave., Galt.

CDs or printed copies can be purchased from the city clerk's office. Call ahead, 366-7130, to ensure availability.

Written comments on the environmental impact report will be accepted only during the review period. They should be submitted to: Sandra Kiriu, Principal Planner, Galt Planning Department, 495 Industrial Drive, Galt, CA 95632; fax 744-1642; skiriu@ci.galt.ca.us.

Thieves target 76 gas station, steal diesel fuel

Five suspects have been pumping diesel for free at the 76 gas station in the 14700 block of North Thornton Road, according to a report by the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department.

The suspects will reportedly enter the gas station to fill up their tractor trailers. One suspect will pay for some fuel to get the clerk to start the pumps.

Once the pumps are turned on, the other suspects have broke open the outside cover to access the fuel pump and damage it. This allowed the suspects to pump fuel without it being counted by the machine.

The report said most trucks have a 150 gallon tank and, at $5 a gallon, the theft is an approximate $750 loss.

McNerney sponsors Gas Price Relief for Schools

School districts will get some relief in dealing with the increased cost of operating school buses if Congress approves a bill introduced Thursday by Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, and Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio.

The Gas Price Relief for Schools Act would provide emergency funding over a two-year period to help public school districts offset increases in school bus transportation costs due to high fuel prices.

The bill would authorize the Department of Transportation to award grants based on how much jurisdictions are hurt by high gas prices. Considerations would include whether a public school system has cut transportation services, instituted a shorter school week and distances school buses transport students.

Reader Feedback

weezer wrote on Jul 25, 2008 2:50 PM:

" Gas stations don't keep much of the profit.

The oil companies do.
FACT: BILLIONS--not millions--IN PROFITS. "

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dogs4you wrote on Jul 25, 2008 12:58 PM:

" Hey 95242 the next time you by gas, ask the owner how much money he or she makes per gallon. It really isn`t all that much, maybe a penny or two per gallon. They have to pay for that shipment when it is off loaded from that tanker truck. "

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Taxman wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:38 AM:

" Don't blame the station owner for that $750 tank, they probably had to pay $735 for it. There is very little mark up by the station. "

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95242 wrote on Jul 25, 2008 4:19 AM:

" Thieves target 76 gas station, steal diesel fuel
The report said most trucks have a 150 gallon tank and at $5 a gallon the theft is an approximate $750 loss.
I think the real thieves here are ones charging $750 for a tank of gas! "

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