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November 21st, 2009
November 20th, 2009
November 19th, 2009
November 18th, 2009
November 17th, 2009
November 16th, 2009
November 14th, 2009
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
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Regional Roundup
Appliance store owner pleads guilty to theft
Saturday, October 31, 2009 6:44 AM PDT
A Lodi appliance store owner pleaded guilty Friday to grand theft, and agreed to serve time in jail and pay about $24,000 in restitution to his former customers.
David Westerback, owner of Anderson Maytag, 608 S. Central Ave., pleaded guilty to two felony charges, but will make restitution to half a dozen victims. He was also sentenced to 90 days in jail and placed on five years of formal probation, said Lodi Police Detective Lee Patterson.
Westerback, 43, was arrested in September and accused of accepting payments from customers and then never ordering or delivering the appliances. When they repeatedly complained, he allegedly told the customers they could take him to small claims court if they wanted their money back.
He had posted $60,000 cash bail after his arrest, and he indicated in court Friday that the money will be used to repay the victims, Patterson said.
If Westerback makes full restitution and meets all requirements of probation, he will be allowed to petition the court to reduce the charges to misdemeanors.
— Layla Bohm
Thieves break into Target, steal iPods
Within two minutes late Thursday night, two masked thieves pried open the Lodi Target's front doors, dashed through the store, smashed a case, grabbed about 30 iPods and fled out the back doors.
Nobody was arrested, and police suspect that the incident is tied to others in Livermore, Tracy and Pinole, Lodi Police Sgt. Fernando Martinez said Friday.
The suspects entered the 2355 W. Kettleman Lane business at 11:30 p.m., Martinez said, by using a crowbar to open the sliding front doors.
They apparently brought a bag to stash the loot in, and they quickly smashed a display case in the electronics area. They filled the bag with music players and fled out a nearby rear exit door.
A car was waiting in the back, and the thieves were gone at 11:32 p.m.
Though the break-in set off an alarm, it didn't give an alarm company enough time to notify police dispatchers, who then sent police to the store.
Police did not immediately have suspect descriptions or genders, since they wore masks.
— Layla Bohm
New contract post office in Lodi
Wrapping Up in Lakewood Mall is now offering postal services inside its location. The store offers gift wrapping, party favors, balloons and more recently made a deal with the United States Postal Service to open up a contract location inside its store.
"We're glad to give it a try," said owner Cindi Inman.
Customers can purchase Forever stamps, flat-rate boxes and envelopes and send certified mail at the location inside Lakewood Mall.
Wrapping Up has been in operation inside the mall in suite 227 since May of 2008. It's open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed Sundays. Inman said parcels that are received after 5 p.m. may not be delivered that day but would be processed and ready in the morning.
— Jordan Guinn
Lodi shops targeted for flat-screen TVs
Two Lodi restaurants and a Lodi barbershop fell victim Thursday night to thieves who smashed the windows and grabbed flat-screen televisions.
Police identified the businesses as Haru Sushi Bar, 550 S. Cherokee Lane; Hurk's barbershop at Kettleman and Ham lanes; and Casa Flores, 920 S. Cherokee Lane.
In each case, the front windows were smashed and TVs were missing, said Lodi Police Sgt. Fernando Martinez.
Nobody was arrested and police did not have suspect information.
— Layla Bohm
Lawrence School briefly locked down
Lawrence Elementary School was briefly locked down Friday morning after school officials got a report of a gunman near the campus.
Lodi police arriving at the school found two boys, one with a toy gun, at 9:12 a.m., and the lockdown was canceled minutes after it started.
Officers had briefly swarmed toward the 721 Calaveras St. school grounds.
An officer found the boy at the corner of Stockton Street and Donner Drive, and then other officers made sure there were no other possible gunmen.
School officials made an automated phone call to parents, letting them know about the lockdown and that no real weapons were involved.
— Layla Bohm
Lodi bus cuts to begin
This Monday will be the start of cuts in bus service. Bus service will still continue this Sunday.
The city slashed its transit schedule to deal with a $373,000 cut in state contributions. When the state legislature passed its budget, it included 20 percent less in transportation funding.
Here is the new schedule starting Monday:
— Maggie Creamer
Too much to drink? Get free ride, tow home
If you live in Lodi and have a little too much spiked witch's brew on Halloween night, Plummer Towing will give you a ride and tow your car home for free.
AAA Roadside is providing the Tipsy Tow service through Plummer Towing to reduce the amount of intoxicated drivers on the road. The program is free to anyone, not just AAA members.
The service runs starts 6 p.m. Saturday and ends 6 a.m. Sunday. Just call (800) 222-4357 and a tow truck driver will meet you anywhere in Lodi.
AAA encourages passengers, party hosts, bartenders, restaurant managers to keep the phone number on hand.
— Lauren Nelson
Student critical following accident
A McNair High School sophomore was hit by a car while crossing West Lane on her way to the North Stockton campus Friday morning.
The 15-year-old girl, who was not identified by district staff, was flown to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento shortly after the 7 a.m. accident.
She was not in a crosswalk, according to Bill Atterberry, assistant superintendent of secondary education for Lodi Unified. She was listed in critical condition Friday afternoon, Atterberry said.
The school's counselors were alerted to the accident and were on standby in case students needed to talk. The school also sent out a districtwide telephone message informing parents of the accident and reminding them that students crossing any busy street should use a crosswalk. The accident is being investigated by the Stockton Police Department.
— Jennifer Bonnett
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Reader Feedback
jullee wrote on Nov 4, 2009 12:52 AM:
ordinarycitizen wrote on Oct 31, 2009 10:29 AM:
ordinarycitizen wrote on Oct 31, 2009 9:04 AM:
Re: Wrapping It Up: YaY! You have such a cute store and we wish you much success. You will now be getting our business due to mailing and need that card or gift. Thanks for trying the contract station out. "
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