California lawmakers have approved two major tax-related budget measures that could affect online software subscriptions, private health insurance costs and some businesses beginning in 2027.
Arthur Glenn Kahl, a longtime Central Valley journalist, photographer and community servant whose work often focused on the people and stories of Ripon, passed away on June 7, 2026, in Manteca. He was 89.
Property owners within the Ripon Consolidated Fire District should begin watching their mailboxes as official ballots are being mailed for the proposed Fire Protection and Emergency Response Services Benefit Assessment.
In Ripon, golf carts may only be operated under limited conditions. The driver must have a valid driver’s license, no more than two people may be on board, and all traffic laws, signs, and signals must be followed. Golf carts may only be driven on roads with speed limits of 25 mph or less, though roads up to 35 mph may be used briefly to cross or connect to 25 mph roadways.
Blue Diamond Growers estimates California’s 2026 almond crop at 2.69 billion pounds as San Joaquin County growers watch the season ahead.
San Joaquin County leaders are moving forward with a proposed ordinance aimed at cracking down on catalytic converter theft, a crime that has frustrated vehicle owners, law enforcement, and prosecutors across the region for years.
Save Mart celebrated the grand reopening of its remodeled Ripon store on April 29 with a community event recognizing the store’s new upgrades, expanded services and continued investment in the local community.
A popular gathering spot in Ripon is preparing to close its doors, as Ripon Social announced this week that its final day of service will be Easter Sunday, April 5, marking the end of its run as one of the city’s well-known dining and social destinations.
Families in Ripon now have access to a nationally recognized early literacy program that delivers free books directly to children’s homes each month.
Nearly three times per day in 2025, Ripon’s only staffed fire engine was already responding to another emergency when a second call came in.
The Ripon Chamber of Commerce announced that tonight’s planned $2 Ride Night at the Almond Blossom Festival carnival has been canceled after heavy rain overnight caused flooding at Mistlin Park.
California Assembly Bill 1421 (AB 1421), a transportation funding study measure, is drawing growing attention from lawmakers across the state — including Assembly Minority Leader Heath Flora (R-Ripon), who has voiced concern about the bill’s long-term implications for drivers.
One person was killed early Wednesday morning after a structure fire broke out in the county area just outside the city limits of Ripon, authorities said.
The Ripon Police Department announced that Officer Cecilia Vega graduated from the San Joaquin Delta College Police Academy on Thursday and will now begin the next phase of her career with the department.
Drivers in Ripon may soon notice higher speed limits on several city streets if recommendations from a newly completed traffic study are approved.
Ripon residents are about to pay more for basic services, with solid waste rates climbing 20 percent in February as part of a citywide utility rate hike. The average monthly bill for water, sewer, and garbage will rise to $134.79, up from $123.10.
The City of Ripon is preparing to address stricter water quality standards after California set the nation’s first specific regulatory limit for hexavalent chromium—better known as Chromium-6—in drinking water. State officials established the new threshold at 10 parts per billion (ppb) in October 2024, a move that comes as part of ongoing efforts to protect public health from potential long-term risks associated with certain contaminants.
Small Business Saturday is back on November 29, marking another nationwide show of support for vibrant Main Streets and the independent shops that call them home—including right here in Ripon. Launched in 2010 by American Express, the post-Thanksgiving event has become a cornerstone of the “Shop Small Movement,” inspiring Americans to spend an estimated $223 billion at locally owned businesses over the last 15 years.
Douglas McCourt, 64, faces a sentence of 50 years to life in a California state prison after admitting to multiple felony counts of sexually abusing children. The plea announcement came from San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas, who said the outcome removes a dangerous offender from the community and spares the victims from having to testify in court.
As California pushes cities to keep organic waste out of landfills, Ripon is taking a different approach—one that city officials say will save residents money and keep trash day simple.
The countdown to Christmas has started, and in Ripon, that means one thing: poinsettias. With just 21 days until December 1—the unofficial marker of holiday season chaos—the Ripon High Booster Club is once again rolling out its popular poinsettia sale and fundraiser.
The Meadowood Subdivision in Ripon is one step closer to reality. At a special session held December 23, the Ripon City Council officially accepted the Final Map for the new development, clearing a key hurdle for the 88-home project.
The U.S. Postal Service is rolling out major policy changes in 2026 that could have far-reaching consequences for anyone relying on postmarks to prove on-time mailing. Among the most significant updates: a revised postmarking process that may result in late penalties if senders aren’t careful.
The Ripon Consolidated Fire District is making a fresh attempt to secure funding for its second fire station, launching a fourth tax measure aimed at covering staffing costs for the station at 1705 N Ripon Rd.
Ripon Unified School District is moving forward with a sweeping energy efficiency project estimated at $12.7 million, after selecting Alliance Building Solutions (ABS) to lead the effort. The decision, reached unanimously by district trustees during Tuesday night's meeting, followed a recommendation by the district’s Request for Proposal Committee.
Ripon is preparing to step up traffic enforcement by considering a new full-time motor officer position, a change announced by Police Chief Danny Sauer at Monday’s City Council meeting. The move comes as the city deals with an uptick in vehicle traffic and a wave of hazardous driving violations.
In a quiet corner of town, a group of just 10 scouts is making a big impact. Crystal Wright, Committee Chair and CEO, puts it simply: “We are a small but mighty troop.”
The Ripon Police Department gathered this week to honor a series of promotions and introduce new faces during a ceremony held at department headquarters.
Ripon residents woke up to a jolt Tuesday morning as loud thunder and bright flashes of lightning rolled through the area—despite sweltering temperatures and no rain in the forecast.
Ripon has entered a five-year agreement with Symbium Corporation to streamline the permitting process for residential solar and energy storage systems. The new cloud-based platform, approved unanimously by the City Council at no direct cost to the city, aims to accelerate approvals and increase transparency for homeowners and contractors.
Scammers are once again pretending to be Amazon—this time, luring shoppers with phony refund offers.
After months of anticipation, the Ripon Community Center Tennis Courts are officially back in play, drawing cheers from the city’s tennis and pickleball enthusiasts.
The Ripon Police Department hosted its annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, drawing an estimated 1,000 residents to the Community Center for an evening dedicated to celebrating neighborhood unity and police-community partnerships.
Ripon Unified School District is heading into the new school year with a boost in staffing, following the appointment of 13 new employees at the July school board meeting.
The Ripon Police Department has announced the promotion of Dispatcher Gail Fry to Dispatch Supervisor, highlighting her nearly 20-year career with the agency.
The Ripon Police Department is preparing to roll out its schedule for Unity in Our Community Week, with two long-running favorites set to return.
A Ripon Consolidated Fire District crew is being credited with saving a patient’s life last Saturday, July 12, after a sudden cardiac arrest. The incident, which the district highlighted on social media, is being called a “field save”—a term used when emergency personnel successfully resuscitate an individual before reaching the hospital.
Roy West, a 55-year-old youth sports coach, has been sentenced to 55 years to life in prison following his conviction on multiple child molestation charges. The sentencing took place on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in San Joaquin County Superior Court.
The Ripon Consolidated Fire District marked a major milestone on Thursday, July 10, 2025, celebrating the advancement of firefighter/EMT Marcus Rivas to firefighter/paramedic. The special ceremony highlighted the department’s ongoing commitment to professional development and public safety.
Work has started this week to repair the Stanislaus River Bike & Pedestrian Bridge, which has been closed to the public since October 22, 2023, due to significant storm damage.
The Ripon Police Department’s Explorer team took first place in the drill category at the 13th Annual Central Valley Explorer Competition, an event that brought together 36 Explorer Posts from California, Nevada, Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Diego, and other regions. The competition, hosted at Sierra High School in Manteca over the weekend, was co-organized by the Ripon, Manteca, Tracy, and Modesto Police Departments.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Ripon’s Fourth of July celebrations were a topic of discussion as Police Chief Daniel Sauer briefed council members on the night’s events. Council member Leo Zuber brought up a report in a local newspaper highlighting Manteca’s 109 citations for illegal fireworks, with drones being used this year to track violators. In contrast, Chief Sauer told the council Ripon police responded to just 17 fireworks-related incidents on July 4th, issuing only one citation.
Ripon’s fireworks ordinance extends liability not only to those setting off illegal fireworks, but also to property owners, occupants, and anyone present on the premises where violations occur. Under local rules, residents are permitted to purchase and use “safe and sane” fireworks from noon on June 28 through midnight on July 4.
Repairs to the Stanislaus River Bike and Pedestrian Bridge in Ripon are expected to begin as early as July, with city officials preparing for a restoration process that could last about a month.
Water use in Ripon has dropped by 20 percent, according to a recent update from Public Works Director James Pease. Pease shared the news at the latest City Council meeting, explaining that the reduction was calculated using pre-drought benchmarks from 2013 for a May-to-May comparison.
The Ripon City Council has selected DSS Company, operating as Knife River Construction, to lead the next phase of the city’s Ripona Resurface Project. The decision came swiftly at the council’s May 13 meeting, where Knife River’s bid of $1,521,980— the lowest among six competing contractors—secured the contract.
In a move to address growing concerns about recreational vehicle storage, the City of Ripon has issued a reminder about its RV parking regulations, highlighting key rules that affect both longtime and newer residents differently.
In a significant development for Ripon residents, state water officials have scheduled a public meeting to discuss the cleanup of contaminated groundwater at the former Nestlé USA facility. The meeting, set for March 25 at Ripon City Hall, marks a crucial step in addressing environmental concerns that have spanned more than four decades.
The City of Ripon reported a significant reduction in water consumption last month, according to updates shared during the May 13, 2025, City Council meeting.
San Joaquin County is set to become a hub for clean energy storage, with several major battery facilities breaking ground this year. The first wave of batteries has arrived for what could be the county’s inaugural energy storage site—a project taking shape on a 4.9-acre triangle of land next to the PG&E substation and Flying J Travel Plaza in Ripon, just off Highway 99.
California residents are about to get some welcome relief on their energy bills. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that millions of its customers will receive automatic California Climate Credits this April, with some households eligible for up to $125 in savings.
A comprehensive renovation project is transforming the Ripon Senior Center into a more inviting community space, with work now in full swing under the direction of Estate Design & Construction, Inc.
Weston Elementary School has joined an elite group of California schools, earning the coveted Distinguished School status for 2025. The campus is one of just 336 elementary schools across the state to receive this honor.
Residents are adjusting to new water conservation rules as the city rolls out its seasonal watering schedule this month. The comprehensive plan aims to manage water resources more efficiently while maintaining residential landscaping needs.
The Ripon City Council has approved the acceptance of vital recycling equipment - a foam densifier and grinder - donated by Dart CARE, a container manufacturing corporation that is closing its Lodi facility.
Ripon will come alive this Saturday as beer enthusiasts gather for one of the community's most anticipated spring events. The 2025 Ripon Brewfest, hosted by American Legion Post #190, is set to transform the Ripon Community Center into a craft beverage paradise.
The Ripon Fire District unveiled its latest addition yesterday: a cutting-edge 2024 Type I Fire Engine that marks a significant upgrade to the district's emergency response capabilities.
A Manteca police officer turned himself in to San Joaquin County Jail on Monday following charges of multiple sexual offenses, marking a significant development in a case that has shaken the local law enforcement community.
The Ripon Chamber of Commerce secured $10,825 on Tuesday for the purchase of event support equipment, following a unanimous vote by the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
The Ripon City Council voted 3-1-1 on April 8 to modify the city's bingo ordinance, allowing alcoholic beverages to be served and consumed during games at qualifying venues. The amendment marks a significant shift in local gaming regulations while maintaining strict oversight of bingo operations.
After a failed attempt last August, the Ripon Consolidated Fire District is making another push to secure funding for essential services – this time by engaging the community from the start.
Ripon Unified School District’s monthly board meeting is set for tonight at 6:00 PM in the City of Ripon’s Council Chambers at 259 N Wilma Ave. The meeting will feature both a formal welcome for incoming Superintendent Rusty Clark and a slate of student and staff recognitions.