Regional Roundup

Man burns self trying to extract pot oil

A Lodi-area transient caught himself on fire while trying to extract marijuana oil Monday night, according to Lodi police.

George Elhard, 35, was in critical condition Thursday afternoon at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Elhard had a sock full of marijuana inside a large PVC pipe in the bathroom of an apartment at 1018 S. Washington St., at 9 p.m. Monday, according to Officer Dale Eubanks.

Elhard then poured butane into the pipe to extract the marijuana oil, but the butane ignited a water heater in the bathroom, causing Elhard to catch fire, Eubanks said. He also breathed in a large amount of butane fumes.

Elhard was airlifted to UC Davis.

Two men assaulted in Galt

One man was stabbed in the shoulder and another was injured during a gang fight involving 10 people Wednesday night in the 200 block of McFarland Street, according to Galt police.

Police received several 911 calls at about 5:30 p.m. The participant who was stabbed was taken to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, while the other had a lacerated arm from an object thrown at him, police said. The second victim declined medical treatment.

A juvenile contacted during the investigation was arrested for having a no-bail warrant, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident may call Galt police at 366-7000.

Contractor, animal cruelty suspect pleads not guilty

A Lockeford man charged with nine counts of grand theft in connection with taking money without performing the landscaping work pleaded not guilty Wednesday in San Joaquin County Superior Court.

Robert Lance Weaver, 38, is charged in two separate cases, one involving the landscaping work and another involving animal cruelty, court records show.

Weaver, arrested Tuesday at his Lockeford residence, is charged with nine counts of grand theft, two counts of theft from an elder and nine counts of contracting without a license, according to court records.

In a separate case, Weaver is charged with three counts of animal cruelty after county Animal Control officers said they found 20 dead dogs and one dead steer on July 22, plus seven other dogs that were emaciated, according to Animal Control and court records.

Weaver, in custody on $460,000 bail, has a court appearance on both cases scheduled for Tuesday.

Seeking old-school photographers for story

Though many are trying to be a digital-age photographer, there are still photography enthusiasts who prefer photography the way it used to be.

Instead of the instant gratification people get from digital screens, they opt for the faded look of a Polaroid. Others use medium-format cameras and Hasselblads for their grainy-good effects, characteristic spots and black framing. Even mainstream stores like Urban Outfitters are selling Holgas, Dianas and other so-called vintage cameras to a younger generation of old-school photographers.

If you prefer medium format over 35 mm, or if you still use your Brownie, we want to know. Contact Lodi Living editor Lauren Nelson at laurenn@lodinews.com or 369-7035. In your e-mail, include a brief description of your photography and even copies of your favorite photos.