As we continue our look back at top news and events in and around Oakdale for 2025, this week we focus on the third quarter of the year. Here are some notable items from July through September.
JULY
Residents and businesspeople in Oakdale who were upset with the removal of the drive-through ‘drop box’ outside the Post Office on California Avenue were just as happy to see its recent return. Soon after removal, there was a huge outcry from the community, and local postal officials explained the removal was a trial run move designed to “streamline efficiencies and promote cost effectiveness.” But with businesspeople routinely using the drop box outside of regular operating hours and many elderly saying they used the drop box because it was more convenient than getting out of their cars, the box has returned.
Wyatt Bankus thought he might make his mark in rodeo. And that made sense, since he graduated from Oakdale High School and was immersed in the culture of the Cowboy Capital of the World. But fate intervened and an injury steered him down another path instead, as he enlisted in the United States Air Force. It wasn’t a totally unexpected path for him though, as his grandfather served 20 years with the Air Force and Bankus – with a love for his country – also went that route. He graduated from OHS in May of 2015 and went to Central Arizona College on a rodeo scholarship briefly, then joined the Air Force in December 2016. Now, as a Technical Sergeant, an E6, and a Crew Chief for the famed F-16 Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, Bankus knows he has found his true calling. The Thunderbirds are stationed at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada and while Bankus calls that “home” he is rarely there – as the Thunderbirds are traveling roughly 200 days out of the year. He recently had a chance to reconnect with friends from the Oakdale area, who traveled to see a Thunderbirds show at Beale Air Force Base in the Marysville/Yuba City area.
The City of Oakdale announced via social media this past week that it has received a formal Site Plan Review Application for a proposed Walmart Neighborhood Market at 175 S. Maag Ave., the long-vacant site of the former Kmart store. According to the city’s post on its official Facebook page, the proposal includes complete demolition of the former Kmart building and construction of a new, approximately 45,000-square-foot standalone structure. The design calls for enhanced architectural elements, raised parapets, and a drive-thru pharmacy. “This will be a new standalone structure, not a renovation of the old facility,” city staff noted in the announcement.
Get ready to pack your picnic baskets and lawn chairs – Oakdale’s beloved Concert in the Park series is back and better than ever. Presented by the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce and the City of Oakdale, this year’s summer concert series promises eight Friday nights of live music, community spirit, and summer fun at Dorada Park, from July 11 through Aug. 29.
While the Rite Aid store at 1300 West F Street, Oakdale, has officially closed its doors and the commercial real estate sign is up, the store at 1449 East F, in the Foothill Oaks Shopping Center, remains open. The pharmacy there is scheduled to continue operating through July 28 and the full store closure is anticipated in late August.
Multiple fire units, in addition to two helicopters, were on scene of a brush and grass fire in the 13000 block of Orange Blossom Road on Tuesday afternoon, July 22. The fire was first reported near the 13600 block shortly before 3:30 p.m. and crews arriving on scene indicated the fire was initially at one to two acres with a moderate rate of spread. Additional units were called in quickly, as the fire expanded to an estimated four acres within about 20 minutes of the original call. Two helicopters were flying along the Stanislaus River, approaching off nearby Lancaster Road, hovering as they picked up water and then returning to drop it on the fire. Several passes were also made by planes dropping retardant during the early firefighting effort, with the retardant visible on several properties and along portions of some roadways in the area.
Members of the Oakdale City Council voted unanimously Monday to appoint interim City Manager Jerry Ramar to the permanent role following a nationwide search. The council approved Ramar’s appointment and employment agreement during a special meeting on July 28. The agreement, effective immediately, includes a four-year term with an annual salary beginning at $247,277 or $20,606 per month, and provisions for standard city benefits, including retirement contributions and allowances for technology and transportation.
AUGUST
In a formal statement released Monday, Aug. 4, officials with the City of Oakdale announced the appointment of Jason Grogan as the permanent Chief of Police for the Oakdale Police Department. Chief Grogan has been serving in an interim capacity since March 18, 2025, and brings with him over 28 years of law enforcement experience from the Modesto Police Department, where he last served as Captain of the Patrol Division. The announcement comes in conjunction with the recent appointment of former Police Chief Jerry Ramar as the City’s new City Manager. With a strong commitment to community-focused policing, Ramar named Grogan as his successor, citing his leadership, integrity, and deep understanding of Oakdale’s values.
With hard hats, shovels, and looking toward the future, South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) and Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) officially kicked off the Canyon Tunnel Project on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. The 12,000-foot water tunnel is designed to revolutionize how water moves through the Sierra foothills. Built beneath steep canyon walls and through an ancient, buried riverbed, the tunnel will bypass a fragile section of the Joint Supply Canal (JSC), protecting critical water deliveries to cities, farms, and families across SSJID and OID’s districts for generations to come.
Once again, the crowds were good, the gatherings plentiful, and a spirit of camaraderie was in the air. Oakdale Police Department served as the organizing agency for the Tuesday, Aug. 5 National Night Out in the city, working with a number of different community groups and residents.
Students laced up new sneakers, loaded up new backpacks and headed back to class. Opening Day for the 2025-26 school year in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District was Wednesday, Aug. 6 and students at all grade levels were welcomed back to the campuses scattered throughout the community. For some families, it marked the beginning of a child’s entry into the school system, while others sent their young adults off to begin their final year of high school.
An early afternoon crash on Sunday, Aug. 17 caused extensive damage to the ASTRO Foundation facility on South Stearns Road in Oakdale. The driver of the car and personnel inside ASTRO were not hurt, authorities said, but one cat did sustain fatal injuries. ASTRO, the Animal Shelter to Riverbank and Oakdale, relocated to the former veterinary clinic building on South Stearns earlier this year, having outgrown their space on North Fifth Avenue in town. The move to the city’s east end in late April provided much more room for housing animals while ASTRO was looking for their forever homes.
From the more than 450 adults and kids that visited the Gene Bianchi Community Center this past weekend to the hundreds of volunteers that helped organize the annual community clothing drive; to say it was a success would be an understatement. People from Oakdale as well as neighboring communities arrived before the doors opened at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 to get in line so that they could be among the first to peruse the thousands of clothing items that were donated to the Community Closet drive.
SEPTEMBER
Officials with the City of Oakdale recently announced the relocation of its customer care and billing services into the former PG&E building along North Third Avenue in Oakdale. Effective Tuesday, Sept. 2 – the day after the Labor Day holiday – the Oakdale City Hall operations will be divided between two facilities. For customer convenience, water, sewer and garbage billing services will now be located at 285 N. Third Ave., taking up residence in the long vacant PG&E facility.
The Battle of 120 Mayor’s Trophy is staying put. And for many players on the Oakdale Mustangs varsity football team – not to mention their fans – that’s a source of pride. Oakdale hosted Escalon in a non-league contest on Friday night, Sept. 5 in The Corral. The teams have played the past few years, vying for a special trophy, dubbed The Mayor’s Cup. Friday night, the Mustangs took a 27-13 win off the field, and Oakdale Mayor Cher Bairos was more than happy to hoist the trophy, after sharing a smile and handshake with Escalon Mayor Andy Hagan.
The Oakdale Rescue Mission, ORM, is once again ready to open its doors to the community. It has been seven years since ORM first opened the doors at the 131 W. G St., Oakdale, home to help those in need. On Saturday, Sept. 13, ORM CEO Jonyce O’Neill, fellow board members and clients will host an Open House for the community at large as well as persons interested in learning more about their services.
Oakdale City Councilmember – and Mayor Pro Tem – Christopher Smith has resigned following public backlash over comments he made on social media in regards to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during an appearance on the campus of Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The comments in question were reposted by Smith on his private Facebook page. His resignation was announced in a letter to the community from Oakdale Mayor Cherilyn Bairos, released Sept. 18, just a few days after concerns about his Facebook post were raised by some in attendance at the Sept. 15 Oakdale City Council meeting. The mayor stated that after “thorough, thoughtful, and constructive dialogue, and after much personal reflection,” Smith chose to step down from the council voluntarily. Bairos said both she and Smith agreed the decision was “in the best interest of Oakdale” to minimize disruption to city business.
In a cooperative effort on Tuesday morning, Sept. 23, officers with the Modesto California Highway Patrol and the Oakdale Joint Unified School District partnered to conduct a red-light enforcement campaign. “Three officers were assigned to the detail,” said CHP Public Information Officer Tom Olsen. “One officer rode on the bus as the driver picked up students. Much of the route was in rural East Oakdale, Orange Blossom Road area. The other two officers remained in the area and made any necessary enforcement contacts with the direction of the officer on the bus.” The enforcement operation focused on motorists who failed to stop for a school bus with its flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended, if equipped with one.
Look for the final quarter of the year, October through December events for Oakdale in 2025, to be featured in the Jan. 21 issue.
