Regional Roundup

Two people accused in a number of vehicle burglaries — to the point that Lodi police held an open house to reunite property with victims — are being sought again.

Kristopher Maynard, 27, and Stephanie Hicok, 21, were arrested Sept. 10 after police stopped Maynard's car and found stolen golf clubs, handbags and computer equipment, police said at the time. Police then searched a storage unit they had rented, and found more stolen items.

The two have since been released from the crowded San Joaquin County Jail. This weekend, they were stopped because Maynard's car was seen leaving the area of a vehicle burglary in the 500 block of Pioneer Drive, Officer Dale Eubanks said.

They had more golf clubs in the car, but there was no sign that the items had been stolen.

Then on Saturday afternoon, a Chateau Court resident reported a burglary, and the items exactly matched everything seen in Maynard's car, Eubanks said.

The victim, who lives near a relative of Maynard, also had credit cards stolen. Both Maynard and Hicok were allegedly seen using the cards at local stores, Eubanks said Monday.

Both are being sought in connection with the new burglary case.

Lodi transit manager heading to Elk Grove

The city of Lodi's transit manager, Tiffani Fink, is leaving the city to head the city of Elk Grove's transportation division e-tran.

Fink's last day with the city of Lodi is Oct. 31, according to a statement released by the city. Fink will be replaced by senior traffic engineer Paula Fernandez, who will absorb the transportation manager duties.

Stockton hospital gets an 'A' for residency class

Tiny San Joaquin General Hospital has a perfect pass rate for medical students in its surgery residency program.

According to the American Board of Surgery, San Joaquin's 100 percent pass rate is the highest in the state. University of California, Los Angeles is second at 96 percent and Stanford University is third at 85 percent.

There are 248 surgery residency programs nationwide. San Joaquin General is among eight whose residents score a 100 percent pass rate on final exams.

San Joaquin General is California's oldest county-run public hospital. Dr. Ahmed Mahmoud, who runs the surgery residency program, says early hands-on experience contributes to the perfect passing score. He said half of the graduates remain in San Joaquin County.

Chamber endorses three for Delta board

The Lodi Chamber of Commerce has endorsed three candidates for the Delta College board of trustees: James Grunsky, David Rishwain and Steve Castellanos.

Grunsky, a trucking company owner, is running to represent area 1; David Rishwain, a lawyer and businessman, is running in area 2; and Castellanos, an architect, is running in area 5.

Key factors in the chamber endorsement were the candidates' willingness to champion a Lodi satellite campus and their interest in vocational education.

Forum planned for North San Joaquin candidates

A forum focusing on candidates for the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District and Measure V on the Nov. 4 ballot is set for next week.

The forum is Oct. 21 at Burgundy Hall at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m.

In the district's Division 2, incumbent John Ferreira faces challenger Dale Carver.

In division 3, challengers Bryan Pilkington and Stanley Chaves face off to replace incumbment Matthys Van Gaalen, who is not seeking re-election.

Measure V is intended to repeal a groundwater charge for 2007-08.

The forum is sponsored by the San Joaquin Farm Bureau.

Teachers union holding candidate forum

The teachers of the Galt Elementary Faculty Association are holding a candidate forum Thursday. All five elementary school board candidates have been invited to present their platforms and ideas within seven minutes. Following, audience members will be permitted to ask questions from the floor.

The forum, which is open to the public, begins at 3:30 p.m. and will be held Marengo Elementary multi-purpose room, 1000 Elk Hills Drive, Galt. The GEFA will not be endorsing or sponsoring any candidate.

Sacramento County picks most expensive drug-test bid

Sacramento County officials are defending their choice of the most expensive of four drug testing companies during a time of nationwide belt-tightening.

The winning bid was $7.5 million higher than the lowest proposal for a five-year contract.

General Services Director Michael Morse says the county chose Valley Toxicology of West Sacramento because it's experienced, having provided the service for a decade. The company tests parolees and others like parents fighting for child custody.

The county broke off bidding after firms from outside the region unexpectedly made lower offers. Officials rewrote bidding requirements to add factors beyond low cost. Valley Toxicology won under the new rules.

Supervisors will consider the new contract in December.

Reader Feedback

ordinarycitizen wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:09 AM:

" In the case of Maynard and Hicok being released and going right back to stealing from those who work hard to make a living, I would say, sentence them to community service and hard work instead of throwing them into an overcrowded jail cell. If these two young people were made to work hard with nothing to show for it at the end of the day - no paycheck to look forward to - no sales perks, etc, maybe, just maybe, these two would begin to think twice about stealing from those who are honest & put in a hard day's work in order to not only provide for their families, but to enjoy the things that they have bought, i.e. golf clubs, etc. These two need to be made to work off their debt to society, not increase the tax payer's burden by occupying an overcrowded jail system only to be released to steal all over again. "

Report Abuse

Comments on this story are now closed.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes

Regional Roundup

Two sought again after another Lodi burglary

Reader Feedback

Special Sections

Photo Reprints

Find Ads

Weather

Services

Contact Us

Office

Newsroom

Subscriptions

Advertising

Classifieds