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• Stockton judge had made grim prediction on courtroom security issue

• An insider's view into security at a county courtroom

• Lockeford Wells Fargo robbed; suspect flees

• Twins arrested within minutes of each other on St. Patrick's Day

• Capt. Mike Lair named 2007 Lodi Firefighter of the Year

• Regional Roundup

• Tokay High's Susan Heberle named area Woman of the Year

• New boathouse ready at Lodi Lake

• Lodi trying to find use for $1.2 million-a-year water

February 8th, 2010

• Public Meetings

• Locals pick best, most memorable Super Bowl commercials

• Regional Roundup

February 6th, 2010

• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch

• Meet Larry, Curly and Moe

• Baboon business

• Regional Roundup

• Several Lodi venues let you watch the Super Bowl in style

• Lodi Library celebrates 100 years of serving the community

• Culinary craft

February 5th, 2010

• Kids, teachers help Haiti by collecting pennies for Learning Link

• Lodi, Galt students reach out to help Haiti earthquake survivors

• Tasered suspect claims he is Yosemite Sam

• Hours of sweat and work go into putting on crab feeds

• Things looking up for state's real estate

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Stray bullet strikes Lodi home; police suspect gang activity may be factor

February 4th, 2010

• Managers at Geweke Toyota answer questions about recall

• Lodi City Council votes to replace play structure at Century Park

• Lodi extends ban on pot shops for another year

• Mokelumne River triathlon set for June

• Family, friends to run half-marathon in memory of Galt family

February 3rd, 2010

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Delta College trustees again collide over stipend committee

• Lodi-area senators Dave Cox, Lois Wolk admit to gifts; Tom Berryhill case pending

• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts

• Galt City Council avoids budget cuts — for now

• New Lodi Memorial Hospital emergency room opens to the public without a hitch

• Bad bugs, weeds are hot topics at Grape Day

February 2nd, 2010

• Big rig plows 7 cars

• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future

• Former Lodian Erica Davis is first paraplegic woman to summit Kilimanjaro

• Jumpers across California

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• No snow leopards, otters for Micke Grove

• McNerney leads in campaign cash

• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen

February 1st, 2010

• Find cuddly alpacas not too far from Lodi

• Public Meetings

• Patients can expect faster, better service when Lodi Memorial Hospital's new emergency room opens

• Man killed by Amtrak train in Lodi

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

• Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (75)
• President Obama's first year (67)
• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
• Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
• Many reject the politics of 'no' (45)
• Writer comments on Neely column (42)
• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
• Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (31)

ADVERTISEMENT

Air pollution inspectors should plant apple trees

"In late November, an inspector with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District cruised through a neighborhood of stately homes north of Turner Road."

How did he cruise? Did he drive a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, spewing the pollutants he was seeking? No? Did he ride a bicycle, leaving rubber tire residue on the pavement? Trouble here. Tires represent a serious pollutant. Just ask the EPA. In-line skates? Nope! Not on our sidewalks. Horse? Big problem with this idea. Horse exhaust attracts flies and other vermin that spread disease. The horse exhaust would then produce a problem for the San Joaquin Water Conservation District as soon as it rains and the residue leaches into the ground water.

The Air Pollution Control District is faced with the onerous task of attempting to control the tons of smoke and vehicle exhaust that enter our atmosphere, not to mention the bovine flatulence that has become a serious problem in the Valley.

A modest proposed solution is to place a tin pot on each inspector's head and a sack of apple seeds over the shoulder. Let them walk the highways and byways of the San Joaquin Valley, planting apple trees as they go. The blossoms are beautiful and fragrant in the spring. The fruit can feed weary travelers. The branches and leaves will provide cool shade from the hot summer sun and produce much needed oxygen.

This system worked for Johnny Appleseed in the Ohio Valley in the early 1800s. He is still famous and was well liked by all. We surely can't say that about the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District today. Maybe tomorrow.

Anthony Tsappis
Lodi