With Lodi Unified School District employees enjoying the news that the district stands to gain an estimated $28 million in Proposition 30 funds, union representatives asked the board of trustees on Tuesday to restore some of the wages employees gave up during the recession.

(BPT) - After five years of market volatility, recession and uncertainty, markets in the U.S. are showing signs of life. Leading indexes are now approaching all-time highs, and many individuals are taking a fresh look at their investment plans. But with the sting of recent losses and swings still fresh in mind, now is a good time to consider a new investment approach. If you’re looking for long-term results in unpredictable market conditions, a few guidelines from the experts may help.

Eastern Acampo residents who live adjacent to rarely used railroad tracks along Kennefick Road are glad that rail cars are no longer parked in front of their homes.

As the California real estate market changes, so does the vocabulary of real estate. Once common phrases from the real estate recession such as distressed property, short sale, and shadow inventory are fast being replaced as the real estate market improves by new phrases, such as equity sale, multiple offers, and “off-MLS” or “pocket” listings.

(BPT) - In this instant-gratification era, instant makeovers – from week-long juice diets to weekend home renovations – are a top 2013 trend. And according to Yahoo! Homes, so are instant kitchen updates achieved by refacing cabinets.

(NewsUSA) - A luxury cruise is one of life's pure joys. Today's modern cruise liners are engineering marvels; floating 5-star hotels that offer the best service, accommodation, cuisine and activities. They visit exotic locales with non-stop relaxation or stimulation, depending on your pleasure.

The wife of a retired NFL player isn’t happy with how concussions are treated in student athletes. In a new book, Sandra Merriweather tackles the problem head on.

In the last half a dozen years, Arcohe Union Elementary School District has lost more than a quarter of its students due to declining enrollment.

Last July I wrote a blog item commending the city of Lodi for steering clear of the underfunded retirement health benefit mess that Stockton fell into.

Thanks to a restaurant owner with a foundation in politics, Republican political consultant and policy adviser Karl Rove now knows where Woodbridge is.

(BPT) - Even as the country moves out of the great recession, many Americans are still in a money-saving mode – looking to conserve wherever possible.

(BPT) - People insure their homes, their cars and even their vacations without giving it a second thought. But many do not think about insuring their most important asset – their income – from a disability caused by illness or injury. And it’s not just income during working years that is at risk. A disability can also put a serious dent in your ability to enjoy retirement.

(NAPSI)—Nina Smith is one of the approximately 25 to 30 million Americans with a rare disease. She lives with hereditary angioedema (HAE), which causes painful, unpredictable and potentially life-threatening swelling attacks throughout her body, including her arms, legs, face, abdomen and upper airway. People like Nina often struggle for years to obtain an accurate diagnosis because conditions like HAE are so rare and often thought to be other, more common conditions.

The city of Lodi is not setting aside enough to pay for health care for its retirees now or in the future, according to a recent report.

(BPT) - Feel the need to renovate? If so, you’re not alone. Fifty-three percent of homeowners believe that now is a good time to remodel, according to a recent survey by Houzz.com. When deciding on where the makeover begins, look no farther than the kitchen. Kitchens are a major selling point for homebuyers, so a kitchen remodel is good for the home-selling price. Even if you have no plans to move, the kitchen gets more traffic than any other area of a home and serves as the family hub, so it deserves the attention. To ensure a successful project, keep in mind these kitchen-remodeling tips:

Between the hours of 8 a.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. Thursday the Lodi Police Department received 190 calls for service. Below is a sample of those calls.

(BPT) - The economy is starting to turn around, but competition for open jobs remains fierce. For job hunters, the mental and financial stresses mount every day they remain unemployed. To keep job-search momentum high and attitudes positive, it’s important to follow a few simple steps from the experts.

Earlier this week, the Senate introduced its long-promised immigration bill. As expected, the legislation set off the first of what will be multiple rounds of bitter debate as to whether the bill is good for America.

(BPT) - Stress affects everyone and can cause problems at work, home and with health. Researchers have found that stress is a leading cause of illness, affecting as much as 20 percent of the population. Economic factors, such as a recession, have also been shown to significantly increase population-wide stress levels.

A group of fifth-grade students at George Washington Elementary School who had severe reading problems last summer sat with their teacher, Cory Nuss, as they used their writing skills to compose statements about bullying.

The people of Stockton will feel financial fallout for years after a federal judge ruled Monday to let the city become the most populous in the nation to enter bankruptcy.

On its first official day in bankruptcy, the city of Stockton now must grapple with the hard part of reorganizing its financial affairs — how to share the financial burden equitably among creditors while meeting its massive state pension obligations.

(BPT) - The trend toward smaller, more efficient homes is still in full swing, with new home builders offering floor plans that lower square footage while amping up usability. If your home is older, however, or you live in an apartment, your smaller space may just feel ... well, small.

By this time of year, local school districts are typically facing layoffs. In Galt Joint Union Elementary School District, however, administrators are creating new jobs using Race to the Top grant funds. In sum, 30 new jobs will be created.

Dear Straight Talk: I’m 16 with a 14-year-old sister and 11-year-old brother. We live with our mom in a three-bedroom apartment with only one bathroom. Everyone needs to get ready at the same time in the morning. Our mom says she and her sisters shared the bathroom, including “using the facility,” and it never was a problem. Since we don’t care to, she says we’re “overly modest” and have “serious hang-ups” about bathroom functions. We aren’t shy about undressing in front of each other; however, we think it’s reasonable to want privacy for certain functions. What do you think? — Hung-Up?