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• Missing Galt girl found safe in Vegas; mother safe, father arrested

• Spokesman for state correctional officers arrested south of Lodi on suspicion of DUI

• $4 million overhaul begins to strengthen Thornton levees

• Lodi planner Rad Bartlam shares his views on growth, greenbelt, sustainability

• Trial opens for man accused of killing girlfriend in Flag City

• Regional Roundup

• Thieves ransack Thornton youth center; steal games and equipment

• Two officers join Lodi Police force

• Altamont Commuter Express to raise fares

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

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November 19th, 2009

• 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

• Chase ends in crash

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

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

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

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

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

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

November 17th, 2009

• Clarification

• 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

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• Regional Roundup

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

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

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

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

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

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

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

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

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

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

November 13th, 2009

• What to expect with new homebuyer tax credit

• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved

• Regional Roundup

• Mayor Larry Hansen points out Lodi's economic progress

• First phase of Lockeford park by 2011?

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• Burglary suspects are under arrest

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

• The country's mess is our fault (151)
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• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (66)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (55)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
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Altamont Commuter Express to raise fares

Altamont Commuter Express passengers can expect to pay about 3 percent more for their train tickets beginning in January next year and an additional 3 percent if they come and go from the Stockton station.

Rising fuel prices and an increase in ridership pushed the proposed fare increase onto the Oct. 3 agenda for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, said ACE spokesman Thomas Reeves.

Discount tickets will still cost half the regular fare.

Since the last fare increase in 2006, ACE has expanded its fleet of diesel-fueled trains, which, along with rising gas costs, makes the price increase all the more necessary.

The rail commission budgeted $1.8 million for diesel costs, up from $1.35 million the year before.

"The economy and gas prices are definitely a factor," said Reeves of the price hike. "People ride more, and though we don't claim to be faster, most of the time it is cheaper to ride the train."

The decision to up the fare was actually approved by the commission three years ago, Reeves said. But ACE had too many late trains, he said, so commissioners thought it improper to raise fares until the trains had a more punctual track record.

"Our on-time performance was very poor over the last few years," he said. "We thought it would be inappropriate to charge riders more when we had such a bad record."

The Stockton station would cost more because it had a higher number of late trains over the past few years, Reeves said.

Last year's incremental increase of 3 percent was delayed, so Stockton riders will see a 6.2 percent increase against the 3.2 percent for all other stations.

"We're catching up now to what was approved in 2005," he said. "It was supposed to be more incremental."

The fare increase would start Jan. 2, 2009. It's on the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission agenda for 8 a.m. on Oct. 3 at the South Hall meeting room, at the Robert J. Cabral Station, 949 E. Channel St. in Stockton.

For more information: 944-6220.