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• Tax group seeks attorney fees from North San Joaquin water district

• Galt City Council approves work with developer on pre-annexation for Delta Greens

• Delta trustee applicants to be interviewed on Jan. 14

• Officials to gather homeless data for San Joaquin County

• Delta board educated on Mountain House

• Regional Roundup

• McNerney asks Obama appointee to investigate Peripheral Canal proposal

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

• 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?

• Lodi veteran recounts close calls in Vietnam

• 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 (155)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (67)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (58)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Public health care is a Christian option (26)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Nightmares about America's future (23)

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Lodi's top stories in 2008 ranged from a dangerous surge in text messaging to a dancing mascot's questionable gestures

Here it is. The column you've been waiting for. The REALLY best eight award-winning news stories for 2008!

Crime rate shows mixed figures: While murder rates were down in our fair city, crimes of dangerous text messaging and toilet papering of trees were significantly higher. "We plan to make a notable improvement in these areas," said a police department spokesperson. People text messaging, while break dancing, will find a significant increase in fines. Toilet paper will now only be sold at the register to those over 21 years of age. An ID will be required.

Gas Prices Drop: Local car dealers are hurting since the government has forced American manufacturers to build small cars that nobody wants. As greener cars are built, gas prices should return to 1960 levels of .28 cents per gallon. In the meantime, foreign manufacturers are gearing up to build larger, more powerful vehicles, as the Japanese once again, get a leg up on the good old USA.

New school superintendent demands 20 percent improvement: The new school superintendent has established a program that will assure a 20 percent increase on state performance tests. Any student who does not achieve this goal will be expelled and sent to Stockton. Exceptions will be made for pupils who have already shown a .01 percent improvement at any time during the last 12 years.

Housing picture looking brighter: Reports from local real estate agents say now is the time to buy a new home. New loan programs, now available from the government, pay the homeowners' mortgages for the next 30 years. To qualify, local residents only need to show that they have no jobs, incomes or assets. With inflation caused by legislative handouts, the average $180,000 home should cost $15.8 billion by the year 2038.

City Council fights recession: Members of the City Council have decided to give employees a significant raise. In the meantime, taxpaying businesses are suffering. "It only makes sense," said one city father. "The more we pay city employees, the more they will have to spend at local businesses." When one city worker was asked what she will do with the money, the 20-year veteran replied: "Simple. I'm going to spend it at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Stockton."

Junior college plans bite the dust: It appears that our city will not be home to a new community college. The college district has an unfortunate shortage of funds due to the recession, higher wage costs, and trustees using private Citation jets for personal transportation. "It's really no big deal," said one trustee. "Since there are no chain book stores in this town, we figure the people here can't read anyway."

Gay marriage takes a back seat: Controversy was created when the people of California decided to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Local residents took strong positions on both sides of the argument. Supporters claim it is a "civil right," while opponents are planning to move to more sensible areas in the country such as Selma, Alabama — just as soon as the job market improves.

Dancing mascot fired for indecent behavior: The dancing banana in front of Peppy's Pistachio Ice Cream Parlor was fired for making obscene gestures with his costume. It seems that the banana's sexist and crude behavior deeply offended the twisting tomatoes next door at Pete's Pole-Dancing Palace.

There you have it: Our city's eight best stories for 2008. Just wait until you see what 2009 brings!

Steve Hansen is a Lodi writer and satirist.