Local Politics · Lodi, CA
San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Olivia Hale identified five ballot drop boxes in the Lodi area, including locations at Viaggio Estate & Winery in Acampo, Clements Country Market, Young's Payless IGA, Lodi Grape Festival on Lockeford Street, and Lomeli Gardens on Highway 99 Frontage Road. Voters have until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, to return ballots to drop boxes, with specific operating hours listed for each site. The county has 159 polling places, including 23 in the Lodi area covering Woodbridge and Victor. Election Night results begin at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 and update every two hours; a one-percent manual tally begins Nov. 4 at 44 N. San Joaquin St., Suite 350, in Stockton, with final certified results published after 5 p.m. Nov. 25.
Housing & Development · Lodi, CA
The Lodi City Council will hold a public hearing on Nov. 18 to consider adopting a proposed 2027 fee schedule under the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan, which Lodi adopted in 2001. The most common fee category—agricultural and natural habitat—would rise 28%, from $17,868 to $22,908 per acre, driven primarily by a 43.1% increase in the land acquisition portion. Other proposed fees include $11,455 per acre for multi-purpose open space, $97,680 per acre for vernal pool uplands and grasslands, and $212,279 per acre for vernal pool wetland habitat. The San Joaquin Council of Governments, which administers the plan, approved the proposed schedule in September and asked participating jurisdictions to adopt it.
Housing & Development · Lodi, CA
Lodi's Community Development Department reports 3,877.2 acres and 409 separate properties are awaiting annexation into the city, according to Public Information Officer Nancy Sarieh. The pipeline includes the Costa-Miller properties at Harney and Hutchins, which have submitted a pre-annexation hearing application, as well as the Glick parcels east of Guild Avenue and the Manna parcels along Highway 99 south of Kettleman Lane. All listed properties are immediately adjacent to current city limits, and inclusion on the list does not guarantee eventual approval. The column also notes Lodi's fall leaf pick-up program starts Monday, Nov. 9, with three collection rounds through Dec. 1 across 10 districts, and a shade tree giveaway runs through March 2027.
Transportation · San Joaquin County
The San Joaquin Council of Governments is offering residents throughout the county ride vouchers for discounted Uber trips. Riders pay a $1.50 copay per trip, with SJCOG covering up to $15 of the remaining fare, limited to two trips per day. Vouchers are valid only for travel between cities and unincorporated areas within San Joaquin County, excluding travel within a single city. The program uses code sjcog-vamos in the Uber app and ends April 30, 2027.
Nearby · Public Safety · Stockton, CA
Multiple witnesses reported arrests by agents in unmarked vehicles across Stockton over the past month, though DHS confirmed only one detention of a Guatemalan man at an undisclosed location. Data from the Deportation Data Project shows ICE arrests inside Stockton rose from 20 in January to 100 in July 2026. The Valley Watch Network received approximately 450 calls in San Joaquin County in the prior month reporting immigration activity or seeking help after detentions. Community organizers held biweekly vigils protesting enforcement, while residents described avoiding daily activities such as grocery shopping and taking children to school.
Nearby · Crime · Stockton, CA
Ammaad Akhtar, 34, of Stockton pleaded guilty this week to attempting to provide funds, weapons, and equipment to the Islamic State between February and June 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Akhtar communicated with an undercover officer he believed was an ISIS member, provided financial funding in April 2025, and met with a second undercover agent in June 2025 where he handed over $400, two loaded guns, six magazines, binoculars, and clothing while swearing a pledge of loyalty. He also discussed planning attacks against a specific individual and using homemade explosives at a populated event. Akhtar faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for Feb. 26, 2027.
