Cautions Abound For River Safety

Leaders in Oakdale's fire and police departments, as well as the irrigation district are cautioning people about recreation activities on the Stanislaus River. Oakdale Irrigation District General Manager Steve Knell said very high river flows are expected as of July 1 because water must be released from New Melones Reservoir due to the Federal Bureau of Reclamation's operating permit that states it cannot store water behind the dam after June 30.

OTA Gets New President

After serving for 10 years as the Oakdale Teachers Association president, Sierra View Elementary School teacher Linda Kraus recently stepped down. Noting that "it's time" to make room for new blood and to focus more on her other California Teachers Association project commitments and as council chairperson for the Stanislaus Service Center, which serves more than 25 locals, Kraus has passed the reins to fellow Sierra View ...

Summer Work Projects In Progress At Schools

School is out for summer but the district's maintenance employees are getting the annual deep cleanings and special maintenance projects done while the students are on vacation.

Schools: No New Budget Cuts, For Now

For now, there are no new planned budget cuts for the Oakdale Joint Unified School District. Following a public hearing at the June 13 regular meeting of the OJUSD Board of Trustees, the board unanimously approved the 2011-2012 proposed budget.

Joplin Journey - Group Lends Helping Hand

A contingent of Oakdale citizens has been in Joplin, Missouri for the past week, helping the town recover from a devastating tornado that happened just over two weeks ago.

OID Has Clean Audit

The Oakdale Irrigation District got a clean bill of health from the independent auditor Brian Nash of Richardson and Company. The OID Board of Directors heard Nash's report at its June 7 meeting and then unanimously approved the district's 2010 comprehensive annual financial report. The board also approved the 2010 annual financial report for OID improvement districts.

Dawn's Column - Weathering The Storms

Two of my closest friends have each been weathering multiple storms and going through major life changes. It seems that the hits have kept on coming for them. These two are my good-time pals, I have some of my most fun memories with them. Now, however, I no longer live nearby and struggle with my feelings that I can't physically be there for either of them during these hard times.

Oakdale Group Helps Joplin Residents

Dozens of Oakdale residents recently caravanned to Joplin, Missouri taking supplies and their helping hands to make a contribution toward tornado relief efforts. Members of the Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene and Gilton Solid Waste Management employees have been in Joplin since June 2. Find out more about what they've been doing in Joplin in the June 8 issue of The Oakdale Leader.

Oakdale Graduates Walk Stage

The Oakdale Joint Unified School District held several graduation ceremonies over the course of three days, May 25-27, each hosted at Oakdale High School. Commencement exercises for Oakdale High School, Oakdale Junior High School, and Alternative Education schools East Stanislaus High School, Valley Oak High School, and Oakdale Charter High School hosted more than 700 graduates in all. Check out the June 1 issue of The Oakdale Leader for more coverage and ...

Graduates Celebrate, Prepare For Next Steps

The sounds of "Pomp and Circumstance" rang out for three nights in a row in Oakdale from May 25-27 to commemorate the graduations of more than 760 combined graduates from Oakdale schools. Members of the Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees presented diplomas to the graduates at each event.

Local Relief Effort Goes To Joplin

A small caravan of Gilton Solid Waste Management trucks are making their way to Joplin, Missouri today, Wednesday, June 1 to deliver much-needed relief supplies to the tornado-ravaged town. Gilton and members of Oakdale's Nazarene church have been collecting supplies such as non-perishable foods, bottled water, new clothes and bedding, sanitary supplies, and much more for the trip.

Oakdale Student Wins National Scholarship

Oakdale High School senior Serina Ahm has gone through an emotional and academic evolution over the course of her high school career.

Elementary Students Run, Jump, Throw At Contests

Magnolia and Sierra View elementary schools each recently held their own Track and Field Days to wrap up the school year with some fun and healthy competition.

Seniors Collect College Scholarships, Awards

Oakdale High School held its 43rd Annual Senior Scholarship and Award Night on May 10 at the Bianchi Community Center. Student Body President Elise Derby and Senior Class President Kailey Fisicaro served as the Mistresses of Ceremony.

Student Achieves Perfect Attendance

What's the secret to having perfect attendance from Kindergarten through sixth grade?

DAWN’S COLUMN – I Could Not Ask For More

My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary.

Schools Spending Plan In Place

The 2013-14 proposed budget for the Oakdale Joint Unified School District was approved at the recent Board of Trustees regular meeting. However, the budget will likely require updates and modifications in the future as it does not reflect the final state budget.

Super Summer Camp Offers Fun, Learning

Now in its third year, an eight-week summer program known as Super Summer Camp, kicked off on June 3 with 74 children present – the highest number so far during the first week of camp, said camp co-supervisor Carla Moore. Super Summer Camp is operated by the Oakdale Joint Unified School District at the Magnolia Elementary School campus and ends July 26.

Oakdale Celebrates Graduates

Excited graduates filed into the stadium to the traditional Pomp and Circumstance while friends and families cheered them on in one the most important events of their young lives at Oakdale High School's 119th Annual Commencement on Friday, May 24.

Awards, Honors For OHS Seniors

With graduation only days away, Oakdale High School's Class of 2013 is about to embark on a new part of life – one that officially launches them out of childhood and toward adulthood.

New Games Lined Up For Challenge

The rivers of chocolate will flow at the annual Chocolate Challenge, where fun and games with chocolate will reign on the stage, Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the 21st Annual Oakdale Chocolate Festival, there will be a few changes to the Chocolate Challenge games this year, with some new, timed events where contestants will ...

Native American Life Studied

A "field trip" came to school for Fair Oaks Elementary third graders on May 8 to study the Yokuts people. The Yokuts populated this area at one time and consisted of a number of different tribes.

OID Vote - Westlands Water Sale Cleared

A one-year water transfer contract with the Westlands Water District (WWD) was unanimously approved at the May 7 regular meeting of the Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors. There are some conditions on the contract that first protect OID water users before any transfer.

Deadline Looms For Irrigated Lands Coalition

It's the "last call" to join the East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, also known as the Irrigated Lands Coalition, said Tom Orvis, Governmental Affairs Directors for the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, at the recent Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors meeting. He said the deadline is Monday, May 13.

2013 Volz Recipient Announced

Fifth Graders ‘Complete’ Space Mission

A trip to Sacramento turned out to be a simulated trip to outer space recently for fifth graders at Fair Oaks Elementary School.

Campus Concern - Board Addresses Discipline Complaint

Complaints about the handling of discipline of a student at Sierra View Elementary School was addressed by the Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees at the regular meeting on April 22.

River Flows On The Rise

The Bureau of Reclamation, which operates New Melones Reservoir, and the Oakdale Irrigation District recently released information about flow increases in the Stanislaus River.

Realistic DUI Tragedy Played Out

A drunk driver, a bloody crash scene, dead and dying vehicle occupants.

Rodeo Parade Entertains Masses

It's time to people-watch in Oakdale, and what better place than to watch them march down the middle of F Street to the beat of their own drums – or to the clip clop of horses' hooves – than at the 62nd Annual Oakdale Rodeo Parade? The parade starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 13 and features some of the best dressed cowboys and cowgirls of different ages, ...