Community Blood Drive Scheduled This Month

On Friday, July 30 the Oakdale Leader and Riverbank News team up to sponsor the Oakdale Community Blood Drive for Life to be held at the Gene Bianchi Community Center between 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.All registered donors will be treated to fun, live music, complimentary meal, candy from Sconza, event T-shirt to the first 100 donors and drawings for gifts from local merchants all day long.Delta Blood Bank provides all blood products to local hospitals and also contributes where possible to needs outside the local area, including disaster relief efforts. Here's why they ...

FFA, 4-H Clubs Prepare For Fair

Local 4-H and FFA members are washing and grooming their animals, canning fruits, decorating cakes, and working on sewing projects to exhibit at the upcoming Stanislaus County Fair, which runs July 16-25.That's just to name a few things that the young fair exhibitors are doing to prepare. There's a lot involved in getting ready for the fair. Along with Oakdale FFA, there are several 4-H clubs - Sierra, River Oaks, Valley Home, Orange Blossom, and Shooting Stars - that typically have members representing myriad projects at the fair. As usual, Oakdale will have a number of livestock exhibitors at ...

Former Mayor Garcia Passes

Former Oakdale Mayor Elmo Garcia, 74, died Tuesday, July 6 with his family at his side after a long and courageous battle with cancer.He was born and raised in Oakdale to Pablo and Micaela Garcia. He attended Oakdale schools.By the age of 21, Mr. Garcia was already showing his commitment to the City of Oakdale when he assisted with forming Oakdale's first Police Reserves. He obtained the rank of Captain for three years and was a member of the reserves for 10 years.In his early 30s, he was elected to the Oakdale City Council, serving from ...

OID Vents Delta, Tri-Dam Concerns

The Oakdale Irrigation District's water counsel Tim O'Laughlin spoke to the Board of Directors at the regular July 6 meeting about the status of Delta issues regarding water rights and uncontrolled, unregulated, and possibly illegal diversions there. O'Laughlin's talk was part of an agenda item about possibly responding to a June 2010 editorial about "Delta attacks" in the San Joaquin Farm Bureau News penned by its Executive Director Bruce Blodgett.

The OID directors voiced their displeasure with the editorial.

Holiday Hectic For Region

There were no drownings, no major accidents and no fires in the Oakdale area but there was still plenty going on as heavy traffic clogged roadways and police chased down drunk drivers and busted criminals right and left during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Alternative Education Buildings Removed

An empty lot remains where two portable classrooms had stood together for many years at the Alternative Education location on the corner of Hinkley Avenue and G Street, just west of Oakdale High School. The two portables were approximately 25 years old and were recently removed to make way for three newer relocatables from Oakdale Junior High School, which are no longer needed due to the completion of permanent classroom buildings there.

Local Family Participates In Television’s Wife Swap

A family who live the lifestyle of 1840s pioneers, including traditional roles for men and women, swapped with an Oakdale family obsessed with modern technology whose mom, Heather Logan, is the breadwinner, on "Wife Swap," which aired Friday, June 25 on the ABC Television Network.

Holiday Closures, Fireworks Scheduled

The Fourth of July falls on a Sunday this year, which means many locations will also be closed on Monday, July 5 for the holiday observance.

All Oakdale city offices will be closed on July 5. There will be no mail delivery that day, banks ad businesses have the option of closing. The Oakdale Leader office will be closed on Monday as well.

Budget Approved, District Faces Deficit

The Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the 2010-2011 proposed budget at the regular June meeting. Trustee Mike Tozzi was absent.

Students Learn By Doing At Art Day Camp

In an art studio tucked into the countryside of Oakdale, 12 young art students are learning about various art mediums while developing their self-esteem at an art day camp.

Budget Woes - City, Police Near Impasse

Negotiations remain ongoing but representatives of the Oakdale Police Officers' Association (OPOA) have revealed that the membership unanimously rejected the city's last, best and final offer, sending negotiations in the direction of an impasse as the June 30 deadline looms.

Districts Join Forces In Fight To Save River

It's not exactly "Jaws" but the predators that lurk in the Stanislaus River unmercifully attack the young.

Clydesdales Returning To The County Fair

Fair officials announced that the Budweiser Clydesdales will be returning to the Stanislaus County Fair this summer for the 10-day run.

These beautiful Scottish horses will be appearing all 10 days at the 2010 Stanislaus County Fair. The Clydesdales made their first appearance in Turlock at the 2008 Stanislaus County Fair and became a popular attraction for people to watch. The Clydesdales will be available for viewing every day and will also be participating in a parade and/or other events depending on the day. During the parade(s) the Clydesdales will be pulling a red, white and gold beer ...

City Adopts Dual Operating Budgets

The restless tension in the audience was matched by the dour expressions of Oakdale City Council members as the Monday night, June 21 council meeting promised more bad news as negotiations with labor groups continue without resolution, yet council members were pressured to adopt an operating budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Big Names Gather - Line Up Set For Sierra View Music Fest

Smash Mouth is coming to Oakdale.

Stanislaus County Fair Books Rocker Eddie Money

Get your "Two Tickets to Paradise" when rock and roll icon, Eddie Money, performs at the Stanislaus County Fair this summer.

A Night Of Special Recognition - Community Salutes Oakdale’s Shining Stars

A record crowd of over 300 persons turned out for the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce 69th Annual Awards Dinner on Friday night, Jan. 16.

Firefighters Train Before Demolition

Motorists trying to turn in to the East F Street McDonald's in Oakdale to get their French fry or Big Mac fix will have to wait a while to place that order.

Farmers Respond Favorably To Conservation Initiative

A year from now, if all goes as planned, some 3,250 acres within the Oakdale Irrigation District will use water much more efficiently.

Denham Bill Focuses On Veterans

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) introduced a bill on Wednesday, Jan. 14 to lessen the burden on disabled veterans by extending military commissary and exchange store privileges to former service members and their families.

Citizens, Service Groups Due For Chamber Kudos

Oakdale Chamber of Commerce will host its 69th Annual Awards on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., staged at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale.

Bacigalupi Family To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

The Bacigalupi family is well known throughout the Oakdale area. Not only for the infamous H-B Saloon on F Street, but also for their philanthropy including sponsoring the Cowboy Golf Tournament, the annual AFC-NFC Championship Tailgate Party to benefit local causes, donations to Spirit of Oakdale, Community Sharing, the Lions Club Children's Christmas Shopping Tour and several contributions to Oakdale High School sports.

Junior High Jeans And Jerseys Ready To Roll

Crab season is alive and well and Oakdale Junior High School's Parent Teacher Club is ready to get cracking.

Zest For Life - Rocking The 80’s At The Gym

Life is not being wasted on Bill and Joanne Parker. At the ages of 85 (Bill) and 84 (Joanne), this couple did not wait for New Year's Day to make a resolution or begin a new health plan. On Jan. 2, 2015 the couple could be found in the same place they were on Dec. 31, 2014 … putting in some time at Fitness Plus in Oakdale.

Homeless Camp Clean Up Sparks Debate

The adage 'one man's trash is another man's treasure' was well portrayed in a recent Stanislaus River homeless camp clean up on Wednesday, Dec 31.

Youngsters Put Finishing Touches On Holiday Crafts

Like many families do, the 'family' of kids, parents and teachers at The Learning Tree Preschool in Oakdale recently completed their holiday 'Gingerbread House' craft making activity, with the children able to take home their sweet treats to display (or eat) over the holidays. Following are some photos from the special craft day.

Law Enforcement Fatalities Top 125 Nationwide

Law enforcement fatalities in the U.S. rose 24 percent in 2014, reversing what had been two years of dramatic declines in line of duty deaths, based on preliminary data compiled and released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).

Olsen Offers Thoughts On Inaugural Address

Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen, (R-Modesto), issued a statement following Governor Jerry Brown's inaugural address on Monday, Jan. 5:

Highway Improvements Slated In Region

Major construction activities associated with the State Route 99/State Route 219 Kiernan Avenue Interchange Reconstruction Project are now under way.