Tax Pursuit

In 2009, Oakdale leaders along with officials from the City of Newman discovered a tax-sharing deal by the City of Modesto with an oil distribution company that was extracting tax dollars normally flowing toward their coffers. Both cities pursued the matter to the State Board of Equalization, but only Newman officials followed it through with appeals to finally receive back compensation. Now, Newman's periodic share of the sales tax revenue is returned ...

Time Stands Still At SRT

As a seasoned photo journalist, Sarah Goodwin has made her living looking through a lens, freezing moments of heartache, horror and humanity in the war-torn corners of the globe. She and her long-time partner, combat reporter James Dodd, have always shared a deep commitment to their work. So when a roadside bomb in Iraq sends her home to New York for months of painful recovery, both are reeling from the trauma. In ...

Congressman And State Senator Visit Proposed Alternative Energy Site

Responding to the outskirts of Oakdale for concerns of an agricultural business pursuing green energy, Congressman Jeff Denham and State Senator Tom Berryhill met with the owners and employees to better understand their energy conversion process and hear their frustrations with PG&E. When they were done, the elected officials assured company representatives they would do what they could on the state and federal levels.

OID Directors Consider Rate Hike

A discussion on setting water delivery fees for 2013 came before the Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors at their regular meeting on Oct. 16.

Harvest Reaps Crop Of Another Kind

October is the time for harvest. And in the Central Valley, including Oakdale, local drug agents have been busy taking down marijuana grows throughout Stanislaus County. For the second time in as many weeks, Oakdale Police have raided a pot plantation within the city and made arrests of the growers.

St. Matthias Offers Senior Transportation

A new effort, "St. Matti's for Seniors" is a ministry of Saint Matthias Anglican Church, 101 S. First Ave., Oakdale. The new senior ministry will be providing transportation to local senior citizens who are in need. They will be matching up volunteers with seniors to provide transportation to appointments, the grocery store, or to run errands. They are currently looking for more volunteers who have a heart for seniors and would like to help. They ...

Three Contend For Two-Year Council Seat

A former mayor and councilman, a former treasurer, and a lifelong Oakdale resident fresh to politics make up the slate to fill the two-year city council seat left vacant mid-term by the resignation of Jason Howard.

City Lights Slowly Coming Back On

In a concise meeting with a tapered agenda, the Oakdale City Council heard a presentation from Finance Director Albert Avila on Monday, Oct. 15 that informed the council that all street lights would be back on in the city within a month. Some of the lights had been shut off more than two years ago due to city budget concerns.

Operation Safe Driver Targets Unsafe, Aggressive Drivers

Although there has been a 25 percent decline in large truck-involved fatal collisions from (2007-2010) nationally, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is working daily to save even more lives through enforcement and education. To further enhance that progress, the CHP is joining forces with other law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Operation Safe Driver, Oct. 14 to 20. This operation targets unsafe ...

Return Of Street Lighting And Sweeping On Agenda

The Oakdale City Council, at its Monday meeting, will hear a presentation from Finance Director Albert Avila regarding the possible return of street sweeping of residential areas and restoration of street lighting to areas that were discontinued due to budget cuts.

Agencies Focus On Aging Support, Services

The 10th anniversary of the Healthy Aging and Fall Prevention Summit is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Modesto Centre Plaza, 10th and K streets in Modesto. The free health screenings and Health Fair event for older adults (50-plus) and their caregivers is presented by the Healthy Aging Association, Kaiser Permanente and Stanislaus Area Agency on Aging. More than 1,000 people attended last year. <p ...

Books Closed On Housing Fund

The Oakdale Oversight Board to the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency approved an auditor's report that proposes sending the remaining $123,000 to Stanislaus County from the former redevelopment agency's low and moderate income housing fund.

City Budget Update Shows Promise

Oakdale Interim City Manager Stan Feathers gave an optimistic update on the city's current budget situation at the Monday, Oct. 1 city council meeting highlighting that Measure O has brought in more money than initially expected along with city payroll savings to the general fund from organizational changes.

Local Gas Prices Overwhelming

The California gas prices that had been creeping down ever-so-slowly at the end of September have now shot up by as much as 60 cents a gallon. At the end of September, prices in Oakdale were as low as $3.85 a gallon. On Oct. 8 those stations were charging $4.45.

Clubs Celebrate 4-H Week

National 4-H Week is Oct. 7-13 and many 4-H clubs in the area are participating in different activities to bring attention and show people what 4-H is all about. The theme this year is "Join the Revolution of Responsibility." The week celebrates the 4-H youth who have made an impact on the community, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world. Locally, to commemorate National 4-H Week, ...

Garden Club To Recognize Fallen Officer

Boston Marathon - Oakdale Families Escape Injury In Bombing

Minutes after Oakdale distance runner Tom Burchell crossed the Boston Marathon finish line and was greeting his wife Julie at the family waiting area, the couple felt a blast that shook the ground and caused chaos in the area.

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.

Hottest Ticket - Annual Cowgirl Luncheon Wild Success 12 Times Over

It's the hottest ticket in town and for 464 lucky ladies - it's money well-spent.

Oakdale Council Hears Bond Refinance Proposal

Since taking over as city manager in February, Bryan Whitemyer has been conducting a "global financial review," scrutinizing the city's books looking for ways of cost savings for the economically struggling budget.

Suspect At-Large In Gang Related Shooting

A wanted parolee was taken into custody and another man is still on the run from a shooting incident on Thursday, April 11.

Boston Marathon-Oakdale Families Escape Injury In Bombing

Events Run Nearly Nonstop For Rodeo Week

It isn't called Rodeo Week for nothing. With activities virtually non-stop all week long, Oakdale truly lives up to its Cowboy Capital of the World moniker, with events ranging from the wildly popular Cowgirl Luncheon to the actual competition. Already hosted, the annual Local Team Roping competition, which took place Tuesday, April 9 at the Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo Grounds. "The top five ...

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 &ndash; or to the clip clop of horses' hooves &ndash; 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, ...

Coveted All-Around Title Up For Grabs

College Sports Fundraiser Slated

Rookies Hosting Oakdale Rodeo Kickoff Party

City Hires Consultant For Trail Prep

As the City of Oakdale moves forward with developing the Valley View River Access Trail, city officials have retained the services of an outside consultant to complete an assessment needed to move forward. The city entered into an agreement with longtime consultant Amy Augustine of Augustine Planning Associates of Sonora in order to assist the city with the preparation of an "Expanded Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration" for ...

Melones Releases Assessed

Author, Author Event Slated At Lemmons Senior Center