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• Going green in Lodi

• Dog goes from stray to patrolling county jail

• Lodi teacher accused of possessing drugs arraigned on drug charges; Michael Phillips pleads not guilty

• Lodi residents’ sewer rates could go up by more than 70 percent

• New limits on vehicle searches won’t have big effect

• Regional Roundup

• Galt board to reduce layoffs

February 9th, 2010

• Middle College High School rated one of the best — and a bargain, to boot

• Lodi decathlon boasts top team in county

• Man who sparked counterfeit case pleads guilty

• Local businessman will visit Haiti to look for family

• Man who claimed to be Yosemite Sam pleads guilty to meth charge

• David Harmer seeks Republican congressional nod

• Lack of evidence in case against suspect in 'drug deal' stabbing

• Regional Roundup

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

• Delta College trustees again collide over stipend committee

• Bad bugs, weeds are hot topics at Grape Day

• 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

• Regional Roundup

February 2nd, 2010

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

• Correction

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

• Regional Roundup

• No snow leopards, otters for Micke Grove

• McNerney leads in campaign cash

• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen

• Big rig plows 7 cars

• Jumpers across California

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

• Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (75)
• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
• President Obama's first year (45)
• Many reject the politics of 'no' (45)
• Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (44)
• Writer comments on Neely column (42)
• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
• Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (34)
• We need to conduct respectful conversations (30)
• Tasered suspect claims he is Yosemite Sam (25)

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Lodi’s Jon Davis never played prep football, but the NFL could come calling this weekend

Over the last four years, Jon Davis has become a top-notch wide receiver.

Jon Davis

The Elliot Christian High School graduate made a name for himself by catching passes, piling up yards and scoring touchdowns for Azusa Pacific University.

Now, he’s waiting for someone to reel him in.

By the end of the weekend, Davis, a wide receiver who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 215 pounds, is hoping to get a shot with an NFL team. Whether he will be selected in this weekend’s draft or signed as a free agent after it, Davis doesn’t know. What he does know is that he has been getting a lot of attention from NFL scouts, including representatives from the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos.

“It’s crazy. I have never been through anything like this before so I don’t really know what to expect, but I am excited,” Davis said.

What makes Davis’ situation even more improbable is that he didn’t play football in high school. Jim Elliot didn’t have a team when he was there. Then, at Azusa, he walked onto the Cougars’ football team as a junior — starting first on special teams.

With his determination, size and natural athleticism, he quickly earned a spot at wide receiver. In 2008, his third year on the team, Davis had his breakout season. He caught 73 passes for 1,253 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 21 TDs set an National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics record and was second in the nation only to Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree (22).

To Davis, the fact that he could play football for a career is pretty astonishing.

“There is no way I ever pictured this,” Davis said. “Everyone on the team is coming up to me and asking what’s going on. It’s exciting because it doesn’t happen a lot from our school because it’s so small.”

Azusa head coach Victor Santa Cruz can attest to that. He’s been at Azusa for eight years and been the head coach for the past three. Davis is the first NFL prospect he’s coached.

According to Santa Cruz, Davis has got what the NFL’s looking for. He’s got the size. He’s got great hands. He’s physical. He’s tough.

“There is nothing soft about him. He is one tough football player. He is one of the most physical players that we have had at Azusa in the past three years regardless of position,” Santa Cruz said of Davis. “That with his leaping abilities, his ability to catch everything and the fact that he tested well in all the combine drills, gives the NFL a lot of reasons to look at him.”

Over the past month, Davis has been trying to prove his worth to NFL scouts. On March 31, the Dolphins came to watch him workout at Azusa. The Dolphins remain the team most interested in Davis and told him if he’s not drafted, he should expect a call shortly after the draft so they can sign him.

On April 3-4, Davis got an invitation to attend the University of Hawaii’s pro day at the Home Depot Center in Carson. In front of scouts representing over 20 teams, Davis turned in a 40-yard dash time of 4.58 seconds, recorded a 33-inch vertical jump among other tests, and ran routes and caught passes.

“I caught really well both days,” Davis said. “I don’t think I even bobbled a ball.”

While the players were being weighed and measured at the camp, Davis arose as a leader of the group. He even led the players in prayer before they took the field. His strong character caught the eye of the Kansas City Chiefs and other teams.

“That leadership and that kind of character is going to come out wherever he goes,” said Dean Davis, Jon’s father and the head coach of Elliot Christian’s football team.

Jon and his agent believe there is a 50-50 shot he will get drafted in the late rounds. Both, as well as Dean Davis and Santa Cruz, say his chances of making a deal with a team as a free agent are better.

Jon returned to Acampo Friday night and his parents are hosting a big party on Sunday at their home in Acampo in case Davis is drafted. Or in case he receives a phone call after. For Dean Davis, it’s a dream come true to see his son be an NFL prospect.

“It has been pretty surreal,” he said. “He gave up football in high school to go to Christian school and now we feel like God is giving it back to him. It seems like it’s his destiny.”