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• A habit of splitting votes

• 'Sons of Anarchy' rumble through 'Lodi'

• Body found in ditch south of Galt; identity, cause of death unknown

• St. Anne's to mark 85 years with dinner, dance tonight

• Local woman working to bring boat races back to Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

• Helping the homeless

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)

ADVERTISEMENT

Local woman working to bring boat races back to Lodi Lake

It has been a few years since the high-pitched whine was heard throughout Lodi in the midst of summer. Due to the cost and complaints of noise, 400cc powerboat races came to an end after a long history at Lodi Lake.

But now, Traci Morris, of Lodi, is doing her best to bring the races back, and she's seeking sponsors to help her do it.

After budget cuts forced Morris out of her job as a teacher at Linden Elementary School, she decided she had the time to pursue the coordination of the once-popular pastime in Lodi.

The American Power Boat Association races are still held every season at various locations as part of the racing circuit, but the last time a competition was held in Lodi was September 2003.

"It was a staple growing up in Lodi," Morris said. "On the Fourth of July, you'd get up, go to the Kiwanis pancake breakfast, then go to the races at Lodi Lake."

Though noise has been cited in the past as one reason the races ended, Morris said the biggest opposition is money. She would need to raise at least $10,000 in order to cover the cost of renting the lake, obtaining insurance, retaining paramedics and sanction fees for the APBA. The tradition of the races stretches back to 1933, when Chuck Parsons Sr. was instrumental in establishing the races through the Northern California Outboard Motorboat Association. And it's not just professionals boaters who the races are open to.

Morris said that for $100, anyone from age 9 and up will be rented a boat, motor, safety gear and given lessons. That person can then enter into one of the races in the competition, which spans two days. The boats can reach a top speed of about 55 mph.

Jim Rodems, Interim Director of Lodi's Parks and Rec Department, said that he wasn't aware of Morris' plans, but that they are open to any proposals.

"Anything is possible. We would look at any proposal and review it on its merits," Rodems said. He went on to say that it's the department's goal to have people using the parks, and people are encouraged to fill out the proper applications for review.

Morris is also considering having a charity event that would possibly pit Lodi police officers against Lodi firefighters. She said past racers have told her they would come out of retirement for the event.

Sponsors would be listed in event pamphlets, along with racers' names, and an announcer will publicly thank those who donated to the event by mentioning their names via loudspeaker.

But for Morris, it's more about bringing the community together.

"We'd just like to bring back the tradition," Morris said. "We're losing all these things."

For more information, or to find out about sponsoring the races, contact Morris at treneemorris@hotmail.com.

Contact Business Editor Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.