The Oakdale Irrigation District Board of Directors approved a donation of $3,000 to Oakdale fire and rural fire departments in an action at the Aug. 2 regular meeting to use toward the purchase of 140 life jackets for a loaner program being implemented for Oakdale’s waterways.

Oakdale rural fire chief Lee Winton said the life jackets cost about $17 each and they will help save lives and cut down on near-drownings. He said that the fire departments have been very busy this year with Stanislaus River water rescues.

For more details, read the Aug. 3 issue of The Oakdale Leader.