Local Politics · Lodi, CA
Mayor Ramon Yepez delivered his State of the City address Wednesday at Hutchins Street Square, citing four years of progress including the June hiring of City Manager Kara Reddig and eight additional key staff positions. Key developments include a February CENCAL ambulance agreement covering Lodi from May 1, 2026 through May 1, 2031; adoption of an Economic Development Strategic Plan and Downtown Specific Plan; approval of the Northern San Joaquin 230-kV transmission project with construction expected in 2028; and August groundbreaking on a Police Department training facility. The Lodi Public Library expanded weekly hours from 43 to 47 last month, restoring Friday service and adding evening hours Monday through Wednesday. A $13 million animal shelter at 1041 E. Auto Center Drive is nearing completion but no opening date was provided.
Public Safety · Lodi, CA
A 15-year-old boy was hospitalized with a broken wrist after being attacked by a group of teenagers during a student walkout protesting ICE activities in Lodi on Thursday, Oct. 29. The march began near Kofu Park between 9:30 and 10 a.m. and reached Lower Sacramento Road and Kettleman Lane by 11:15 a.m., where the fight broke out near a Walmart parking lot. Lodi police estimated four to seven students were involved; no arrests had been made as of Thursday, and officers were reviewing business video footage. A witness reported seeing a knife, but none was located.
Community News · San Joaquin County
Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom and U.S. Rep. Josh Harder discussed state and federal legislation to combat invasive golden mussels during a Monday meeting at Hilton Stockton with water managers and stakeholders. Golden mussels were first detected in October 2024 near the Port of Stockton and pose threats to native fish, water infrastructure, agriculture, recreation, and flood control across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. Ransom secured $20 million through AB 149 in October 2025 and an additional $6 million in July for Delta decontamination sites, while her AB 2032 was signed into law in September to expedite mussel removal from water infrastructure without waiting for additional permits. Harder's proposed federal Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act received a congressional hearing in September but must still be approved by Congress.
Community News · Lodi, CA
An estimated 200 to 300 students from Lodi High School began a walkout after first period Thursday, marching from Kofu Park toward downtown Lodi to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Students from Tokay High School, Lodi Middle School and Millswood Middle School joined the march, carrying signs including one reading "Fight ignorance, not immigrants." Several fights broke out during the demonstration, though organizers said they wanted it to remain peaceful; police vehicles accompanied the march while passing motorists honked in support. Many participants said they have family members or friends who have been deported or are afraid to leave their homes because of ICE activity.
Education · Lodi, CA
Elkhorn School, part of Lodi Unified School District, ranked ninth among California elementary schools and sixth among middle schools in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings. The school reported 96% proficiency or above in reading and 91% in math, substantially exceeding district averages of 36% and 29% and state figures of 43% and 36%. Elkhorn serves grades four through eighth with approximately 203 students, a population that is 46.6% Asian or Pacific Islander, 23.2% Hispanic or Latino, and 14.4% white.
Local Politics · Lodi, CA
Lodi City Administrative Offices will be closed on November 13, 2026, from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM. The closure applies to offices at the Lodi, CA 95240 location. No reason for the closure or alternative service options are provided in the notice.
Community brief · Lodi, CA
Squeeze Burger and Brew will permanently close its Lodi restaurant on Sacramento Street on Friday after a three-year run. The closure was announced via Facebook, with the owners thanking the community for its support. The business has operated in Galt since 2008 and expanded to Lodi after previously serving customers through a food truck at several locations.
Community brief · Lodi, CA
A Fiber Arts Thursdays session for ages 8 and up is scheduled for November 12, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at 201 W. Locust Street in Lodi, CA. Participants must be accompanied by an adult.
Community brief · Lodi, CA
A Paws to Read event is scheduled for November 11, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 201 W. Locust Street in Lodi, CA. Young readers are invited to read aloud to therapy dogs in a calm, judgment-free setting.
Nearby · Local Politics · Stockton, CA
San Joaquin County District Attorney investigators specializing in political corruption briefly detained Stockton City Councilmember Brando Villapudua on Wednesday morning near California and Main streets in downtown Stockton, within the district he represents. Investigators served search warrants before releasing Villapudua without charges, and the DA's office declined further comment citing the ongoing investigation. The detention comes just days before the general election in a contentious District 5 race where Villapudua's only opponent, Desiree Lynch, was arrested in August on six felony counts including perjury and election code violations for allegedly lying about her residency. Lynch has dropped out but remains on the ballot and is scheduled to return to court Nov. 16.
Nearby · Crime · Stockton, CA
A jury on Wednesday found Wesley Brownlee, accused of killing six people and trying to kill a seventh in Stockton between 2021 and 2022, competent to stand trial. The district attorney has said he will seek the death penalty. Legal analyst Allen Sawyer noted the competency ruling gives prosecutors an advantage, as re-challenging competence later carries a higher burden. The defense retains the option to appeal, and Brownlee's trial is expected to begin in six months to a year.
