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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 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (168)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (72)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (50)
• Public health care is a Christian option (33)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (19)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

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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.